Berra following Andy into limelight

PAUL KIDDIE

THE coincidences are quite uncanny.

Almost three years after Andy Webster made his full Hearts debut in front of the live television cameras at Rugby Park, teenage stopper Christophe Berra followed in exactly the same footsteps.

Following his arrival from Arbroath, a teenage Webster had already appeared as a substitute for the Jambos when he was handed his first start at Kilmarnock in April 2001, the hosts hitting back to earn a 1-1 draw in front of a nationwide audience.

With captain Steven Pressley confined to his sick bed, Sunday’s visit to Ayrshire offered Berra his big chance and the 19-year-old didn’t let anyone down with the kind of performance which suggests he, too, has the potential to make an impression at the top level.

Berra, with two previous substitute appearances against Dundee United and Motherwell to his name this season, formed a solid-looking partnership in the centre of the Jambos’ rearguard alongside Webster as the teams again had to settle for a share of the spoils, Danny Invincibile’s 87th-minute header rescuing a point for the home side after the Scotland star’s opener on the hour mark.

Since making his first start in maroon, Webster has grown in stature to become one of the country’s most highly rated young defenders, Berti Vogts handing him his sixth cap in the recent friendly against Wales.

Pressley watched the action unfold from the comfort of his home on Sunday afternoon and was suitably impressed by the latest youngster to emerge from the Tynecastle shadows. And the Jambos captain firmly believes that Berra has what it takes to succeed.

"Christophe has all the attributes to be a very good defender," he said. "He has a fantastic physique, tremendous pace and is very competitive and these are all important assets.

"Composure and a passing game come with experience and confidence and I thought he did very well at Kilmarnock at the weekend.

"It is strange when you look at when Andy first came into the team. He made his first start for the club in a televised game at Rugby Park just like Christophe so hopefully the omens are good for him.

"He certainly has the potential to follow in young Andrew’s footsteps. Hearts have a tradition of producing excellent young players and Christophe looks like being the latest off the club’s conveyor belt of talent."

Boss Craig Levein was also delighted with the teenager’s performance in what was a young back four against Killie, with right-back Alan Maybury the ‘old head’ at 25 years of age.

Webster was handed the role of helping Berra through the 90 minutes, a responsibility he shouldered with great effect.

"It was a blow losing Elvis, particularly with the other injuries and suspensions we had," said the Gorgie chief. "There was a lot of pressure on Alan Maybury and Andy Webster to keep things tight.

"But they did well, as did Christophe. He is just a young lad who is a long way from being a first-team regular but he didn’t do himself any harm whatsoever on Sunday."

While happy to see Berra cope with his first SPL start, Pressley was particularly pleased to see Webster step up to the mark in style, the defender producing another outstanding display at Rugby Park as he coaxed his inexperienced team-mate through the game.

The former Gayfield stopper has quickly blossomed under the guidance of his skipper, who hopes to see him stay in Gorgie for some time to continue his footballing education.

"I sent Andy a text after the game to tell him how well I thought he’d played," he said. "He has grown in stature and took on a lot of responsibility for a 21-year-old against Kilmarnock.

"I firmly believe he will go on to become a real top-class centre-half and hopefully he will stay here for a number of years so he can keep learning his trade.

"The boss has helped us both with the experience he has and I in turn have tried to help Andy as much as I can."

Pressley is hoping to shake off the effects of his bug to return to training later this week ahead of Saturday’s visit of Rangers, the Jambos going into the game full of confidence after stretching their unbeaten league run to seven matches in Ayrshire.

"It was disappointing to lose that late goal to Kilmarnock as it looked like we were heading for three points," he said. "But on the plus side the draw means we have taken five points from three difficult away games and with each match we are a step closer to a return to Europe.

"We spoke before about showing a level of consistency in the second half of the season and with seven games in the league without defeat, I think we have achieved that."

Taken from the Scotsman