Webster happy at Hearts as Thistle prepare cup sting

STUART BATHGATE

ANDY Webster insisted yesterday he was happy at Hearts despite the uncertainties which surround the club and the recent departures of Alan Maybury and Mark de Vries.

The international defender has himself been the subject of speculation about a move to England, but said there had been no substance in it.

"That’s all it is - it’s just speculation," said Webster, who plays in the Scottish Cup third-round replay at home to Partick Thistle tonight. "There’s not much you can do about it. I’m playing for Hearts and that’s my only concern. I’m happy here and I’ve still got two-and-a-half years on the deal I signed 18 months ago. If you look at the quality that has left the club, it’s disappointing. But that happens at football clubs: you get players coming and going all the time. You’ve just got to adapt to it.

"There’s a lot of positive things associated with the club at the moment. We’re still in two cups and there’s an opportunity for us to progress in the league, so I don’t think it’s all doom and gloom as some people may have it."

One of the most positive aspects for the players is the training facility at Riccarton, which comes into its own in bad weather, as John Robertson explained. "This is exactly why we’ve got a facility like this - the players have the relative comfort of training indoors," the coach stated. "You can practise your set plays in a wind-free, cold-free environment."

Robertson added that, while he was uncommitted about a full-scale winter shutdown, he did think the authorities should be more willing to postpone matches in certain circumstances. "There are things for and against a winter shutdown. It can snow as early as October in Scotland or as late as March.

"But I think when it comes to calling off matches, the wind factor should be taken into account. There should be a certain wind speed where we say enough is enough."

Having watched his side struggle to a goalless draw in the first game at Firhill, Robertson is aware of the threat posed by Thistle, and hopes the weather tonight will not prevent his players from showing their skill.

"We don’t want conditions that can be seen as a leveller - this game will be hard enough as it is," said Robertson.

"The first game was a well-earned draw for Thistle. They’ve picked up in the league over the past four or five games, their confidence is returning, and they’ll see this as a real chance of causing an upset. The players realise what’s at stake. They know they’ll have to be at their best if we’re going to get through."

Robertson and his assistant Donald Park will not need too long to select their squad for the game. Lee Miller cannot play as he was not registered as a Hearts player in time for the original tie, while Patrick Kisnorbo and Michael Stewart are out with injuries, which leaves the coaches few options.

Marius Kizys and Saulius Mikoliunas, two of the four Lithuanians who impressed the club most during the recent training camp paid for by prospective owner Vladimir Romanov, trained with the club yesterday but have yet to register. "Their attitude is fantastic," Robertson said. "They’re here, they’re training with the rest of the squad, and we’ll take it from there."

Lithuanian player of the year Andrius Gedgaudas is back in his home country and has not decided whether to move to Scotland. The other member of the quartet, Gediminas Vicius, may also stay in Lithuania.

Tottenham Hotspur reserve striker Edson Silva and Bristol Rovers winger Brian Cash are on trial with Hearts and could be joined by Cowdenbeath striker Dene Shields. Robert Sloan, meanwhile, is on his way out of Tynecastle. The 22-year-old is close to agreeing a move to St Johnstone.

Partick manager Dick Campbell will be without Jamie Mitchell tonight. The player has a rib injury, but Grant Murray, who missed Saturday’s First Division win over Queen of the South, will return. "It will be a hard game and will be backs against the wall stuff," said Campbell. "But we were an SPL side last season and we should be accustomed to playing against SPL teams."

Taken from the Scotsman