Webster on way out of Tynecastle after contract row

The Herald understands that Romanov has lost confidence in the player and cannot understand why he has refused to sign a contract extension.

It is understood that the player will not play for the club again and will miss the Scottish Cup Final against Gretna. Romanov wants to sell Webster to the highest bidder when the transfer window reopens in the summer.

The Herald understands that Rudi Skacel, the Hearts midfielder, will also leave the club in the summer after telling sources back in his native Czech Republic that he will refuse to sign a deal to keep him at Tynecastle.

The news comes as Hearts battle with Rangers for second place in the Bank of Scotland Premierleague, which would ensure a Champions League qualifying spot.

Romanov said last night: "I believe Hearts is a great club and where someone like Andy Webster should build a career at. I have heard from different sources that he is looking for another club and the name of Glasgow Rangers had been mentioned.

"I have also heard that his agent had made several statements about him looking for another club. It means we can't be totally sure we can rely on the player. I believe the situation has come about as a result of his agent's games. His actions have not helped the club or the player."

Charlie Duddy, the agent for Webster, last night refused to comment.

Romanov has made it clear he feels he is building a team to challenge the Old Firm on a regular basis and which will attract top players from all over Europe.

A prime example is that Craig Gordon, the Scotland goalkeeper, recently agreed a new contract which, with bonuses, could earn him around £18,000 per week.

Romanov is keen to keep the top players at the club and it is believed he was offering a good package to Webster to sign an extension to his contract, which runs out at the end of next season.

The impasse between the player and the club has deepened in recent weeks, culminating in Webster being dropped for Sunday's Edinburgh derby. It now looks likely he will not play for the club again.

Romanov said: "I want Hearts to have some great players who would attract the attention of the top clubs in the world. My aim is to put a scheme in place which means a player leaves the club only at the right time for the club and the player."

The situation has caused concern to Hearts supporters, who last night called on the club's interim manager, Valdas Ivanauskas, and the Tynecastle board of directors to explain recent controversial selection decisions.

The decision to drop Webster, midfielders Julien Brellier and Skacel and striker Edgaras Jankauskas for the 2-1 defeat to Hibs was the last straw for many fans.

There is growing concern among them that Romanov is interfering more and more in team selection. His tinkering dates back to the Dundee United game earlier this year when Graham Rix, then the first-team coach, told players he had not picked the side for the visit to Tannadice. This was the first indication there was a problem between the club and Webster.

The situation with Webster is a straightforward contract dispute but Brellier, a holding midfielder, is a player Romanov simply does not rate. Indeed, the owner was involved in a row with former coach George Burley over the Frenchman's abilities.

Skacel has been left on the bench in some recent games while no explanation has been forthcoming over the omission of Jankauskas from the Hibs game.

Martin Laidlaw, chairman of the Hearts Supporters' Trust, has called on the club to field their strongest team in the remaining games against Celtic, Aberdeen and Rangers and to treat the fans with respect and explain why important players are dropped from the starting XI.

"Everybody knows the speculation surrounding Webster and Brellier and we aren't trying to interfere with whatever decisions are taken at Tynecastle," said Laidlaw. "What we want is to be treated like the true supporters we are and told what is going on. We deserve to be given the respect by the club regarding the reasons for dropping such important players at such a stage of the season.

"If Webster is being dropped for refusing to sign a new contract, and if they think Brellier's play doesn't suit the club tactically, or if Jankauskas' hamstring is bothering him, or Skacel is out of favour, well, fair enough. The fans will accept what decisions are made but they should be taken into the confidence of the club and told what is going on so they can make up their own minds."

Ivanauskas refused to say after the defeat to Hibs why Webster, Brellier, Skacel and Jankauskas had been dropped.

Taken from the Herald