HEARTS star Andy Webster has rejected a lucrative new four-year deal with the club, the Evening News can reveal.

The Scotland defender has snubbed the Jambos' pre-season tour to Ireland amid speculation linking him with a move to champions Rangers.

The 23-year-old was a notable absentee as the Jambos lined up against St Patrick's Athletic in Dublin yesterday and appears to have his heart set on quitting the club he joined from Arbroath in March 2001.

He still has two years left to run on his current agreement but new Gorgie chief Phil Anderton had hoped to secure his long-term future by offering a deal which would have kept him in a maroon shirt until the summer of 2009.

The contract would have made him one of the club's highest earners behind skipper Steven Pressley but Webster has shunned the chance to commit himself beyond 2007.

New boss George Burley made it a priority to speak to the centre half upon his arrival at Tynecastle and explained he wanted to build his team around the talented stopper.

However, we can reveal that Webster told his boss he would not be signing any new contract, now or in the future.

His decision to stay at home as his team-mates flew out to the Emerald Isle came after the club rejected initial enquiries from Ibrox supremo David Murray about the possibility of a £750,000 deal for the internationalist.

Chief executive Phil Anderton today insisted that Webster is not for sale, although Burley conceded he was unsure if the defender would still be a Hearts player come the start of the season. "We have had no formal written offer from any club for Andy Webster and the bottom line is he is not for sale," said Anderton.

"We are not actively looking to sell him as he is a very important part of our plans and the future of Heart of Midlothian."

Every player has his price, however, and should Murray, who is understood to have told Hearts to name their price, return with a significantly improved offer, then the situation could change.

As it is, Burley will welcome the centre-half back to training on Thursday on the Jambos' return from Ireland - they conclude their tour against Bray Wanderers tomorrow evening.

"Andy spoke to me and we have given him a bit more time to be with his family," said Burley after watching his side open up their tour with a 0-0 draw at Richmond Park.

"He asked to miss the trip due to the busy schedule he has had and I agreed. His fitness is good and he'll get a wee bit extra rest.

"We haven't had an official bid from Rangers and all the speculation has unsettled the boy, which happens in football.

"At the end of the day, I want Andy to stay. If an offer came in which was right for the club then it is something I would have to look at but I want to keep him.

"Time will tell if he is a Hearts player when the season starts but the club won't be steamrollered into letting him go."

Webster was plucked from obscurity by former Hearts boss Craig Levein and made his debut against Celtic at Parkhead the day before his 19th birthday in April 2001.

Such was his form for the Jambos that he signed a new four-year deal in June 2003 but it remains to be seen just how much longer he remains on the books.

Burley, meanwhile, will not be making a move for Polish midfielder Maciej Murawski.

The 31-year-old internationalist spent last week on trial at the club's Heriot-Watt academy but didn't do well enough to land a contract.

"The lad was with us for a few days when we had the chance to look at him but we will not be making him an offer," said Burley.

Taken from the Scotsman