Romanov puts Webster up for sale as contract talks collapse

HEARTS are poised to put Andy Webster on the transfer list, Vladimir Romanov, the club's owner, revealed yesterday. The move comes after Webster's agent, Charles Duddy, said there would be no negotiations over a new contract, and follows sustained speculation linking the Scotland centre-back with Rangers.

"For the club it means our only option is to put him on the transfer list," Romanov said.

Webster's contract runs until the end of next season, and Hearts are unlikely to let a player of his ability and relative youth go cheaply. Whether they would allow him to go to one of their main Scottish rivals is another matter, however. With Romanov's wealth behind them they are under no pressure to sell players, as they proved last year when Celtic had a bid for Paul Hartley rejected.

Webster, 24, was an ever-present in the Hearts side this season, and a key player alongside Steven Pressley in central defence, until he was dropped for the league match against Dundee United at Tannadice in February. Duddy told the BBC that evening that negotiations about a new contract were "permanently" at an end, and although the player was restored to the side subsequently, he has again been frozen out in recent weeks. Duddy was unavailable for comment last night.

The extent of the chasm between Webster and his current employers was revealed on Saturday in the team selection for the Edinburgh derby. Despite injuries to Pressley and Jose Goncalves, who can also play at centre-back, Webster was omitted from the squad. That omission meant Ibrahim Tall came in for his first league start to play alongside Christophe Berra. Romanov wrote in Hearts' matchday programme at the end of last year about his abhorrence of agents. He claimed they and other supposed parasites in the game were on the road to hell.

The Lithuanian businessman is understood to be ready to play hard-ball over Webster, and despite being ready to put him on the transfer list will also be prepared to maintain him on the pay roll - but off the team sheet - for the remainder of his contract if a suitable offer is not forthcoming. Romanov added, however, that he was not at all averse to moving players on, but that he would prefer it to be done at a time of mutual benefit to the individuals concerned and to the club.

"My dream is to create a team where every player attracts the interest of the best clubs in the world," he added. "Our aim is to create a system where players might leave when it is right for the club and the player."

Webster was the subject of an inquiry from Rangers in the summer and took no part in Hearts' pre-season tour of Ireland. But the Ibrox club were given no encouragement and Webster has gone on to play a key part in Hearts' success this season. The club have reached the Scottish Cup final and remain on course for a Champions League spot.

In an interview he gave to The Scotsman in February, Webster said his commitment to Hearts was not in doubt.

"Ask anybody in the dressing-room what kind of footballer I am," he said. "Ask them about my commitment to Hearts. Look back and ask when was the last time I pulled out of a tackle or didn't bother heading a ball. I'm committed to this club."

Hearts' defensive record is the best in the Premierleague this season and such has been their consistency that Webster, Pressley and goalkeeper Craig Gordon are now considered first picks for Scotland.

Takis Fyssas, meanwhile, is winning his battle to be fit for Sunday's SPL match with Celtic at Tynecastle. The Hearts left-back missed the defeat by Hibs due to a groin strain, but could train today.

Pressley also missed the Hibs game through injury and is desperate to return against Celtic, but Hearts assistant coach John McGlynn said: "It's a niggling back problem again and it's just not quite clearing. The guy wants to play and he'll receive round-the-clock physio treatment, but you can't push these type of injuries."

Taken from the Scotsman