Andy not taking place for granted

DAVID HARDIE

HEARTS’ Festival Cup hero Andy Webster today revealed he still doesn’t consider himself a first-team regular at Tynecastle - despite establishing himself in Berti Vogts’ Scotland side.

The 21-year-old insisted there were only "one or two" players who could expect to be picked by boss Craig Levein every week, but he doesn’t believe he is one of them.

The former Arbroath defender, who has formed a formidable partnership with Gorgie and Scotland team-mate Steven Pressley, insisted the strength-in-depth of Levein’s squad meant he had to be at the top of his game every week even to be considered.

He said: "The manager has added to the squad, the players he has brought in are quality and have proved they can perform and play for Hearts at the highest level.

"There’s a bit of strength-in-depth which means that if someone is not performing well, there are boys who can come in and do a job. We are not carrying anyone, we have a 20-odd man squad, all of whom are able to perform in the SPL."

And although he played in 14 out of the final 15 matches of last season, missing only the defeat by Celtic at Parkhead because of suspension, with his performances prompting Vogts to describe him as one of the best young defenders in Europe, Webster insisted he’s not taking his place in the Hearts team for granted.

He said: "I presume there’s one or two you would expect to be in every single week but as far as I am concerned I know that if I am not performing the manager is going to change it, which I understand.

"There’s no point in keeping someone in the team just for the sake of it so I know I have to perform to a good standard every week to keep my place.

"I feel in the pre-season games I have been doing that, I feel the team has been doing reasonably well and hopefully I’ll keep my place for the first league game against Aberdeen on Saturday - but that is up to the manager."

And Webster agreed that a strong squad was vital for Hearts’ aspirations this season with the hope being that they can not only continue to get closer to the Old Firm but give a good account of themselves in Europe.

He said: "It’s a massive season for the club and for me personally with Scotland and Euro 2004 but you have to remember I only came in towards the end of last season.

"I had a good run and played well but now I am hoping to play in every game if I can avoid injury but I have to get my head down and get on with it.

"I think Celtic showed the resources you need in Europe last season, they used a lot of players.

"Playing during the week in Europe takes its toll so it is important to have a big squad."

Taken from the Scotsman