Davie Irons (left) and Rowan Alexander are awaiting a decision

Rowan Alexander was given time off in March suffering from stress, and Davie Irons was put in temporary charge.

Irons, who led Gretna to the SPL after securing promotion last season, is expected to be named the new manager.

"I'm still the caretaker manager and, until anything changes, I'll just carry on in that role," said Irons.

Alexander, who signed a five-year rolling contract in May 2006 along with Irons, had said that he hoped to return to his post after the summer.

If we were to stay up it would be a great achievement Gretna owner Brooks Mileson

Gretna secured three successive promotions on their way to the SPL and Mileson admitted the reality of playing in Scotland's top flight had yet to sink in.

"If we were to stay up, it would be a great achievement for our first year considering the speed we have travelled up through the leagues," said Mileson.

"We've already signed a couple of good players - (Paul Murray and Abdul Osman) - and there are another couple of good signings coming next week.

"Last season we came through the First Division and there's a good standard in that league.