Vlad backed over Webster

FANS' chief Martin Laidlaw today questioned the motives of Andy Webster's agent after the Hearts defender was slapped on the transfer list by club owner Vladimir Romanov.

Webster has been frozen out of the first-team picture after refusing to commit himself to a contract extension and it now looks like he may have played his last game for the club.

Laidlaw, chairman of the Hearts Supporters' Trust, believes Webster has been poorly advised throughout contract negotiations and laid much of the blame for Webster seeking a big-money move - he has been linked with Rangers and several clubs in the English Premiership - at the door of the player's representative, Charles Duddy.

Laidlaw admits he is disappointed to be losing one of the club's best players but backed Romanov's decision to the hilt, saying: "I would question whether Andy Webster has been getting the best advice, financial or otherwise, from his agent.

"I have said it before and I will say it again, Vladimir Romanov only has the club's best interests at heart. What the player has to ask himself is does his agent have Andy Webster's best interests at heart or does he have his own interests at heart? We all know what is in it for him.

"I'm surprised that his agent didn't have the intelligence of foresight to deal with this situation better. When Andy was dropped for the Dundee United game he came out and said negotiations were off permanently. I don't think that is the way to handle these types of negotiations.

"We were already aware of what Vladimir Romanov thinks about agents and I don't think many fans have a lot of respect for agents either."

Laidlaw is relieved that the situation now appears to be reaching a conclusion and he added: "I think that the fact he has been put on the transfer list simply clarifies the situation," added Laidlaw.

"Everyone was speculating as to why he was being dropped and this confirms that contract negotiations have broken down.

"In an ideal situation, yes, we would all like to see him involved in the remaining games, but this is not an ideal situation.

"Vladimir Romanov is looking at this from the long term and you either want to be part of his project or you don't. Craig Gordon and Paul Hartley have already signed up and want to be part of that but Andy Webster seems to have made it clear that he doesn't."

Romanov announced his intentions by issuing a statement which confirmed that a rumoured move to Ibrox in the summer had contributed to the situation Webster now finds himself in.

Romanov claimed: "Valdas Ivanauskas is not sure that the player can give us his 100 per cent best to win more points for us.

"There have been statements in the media that Webster is looking for another club and I heard that the name of Rangers was among those he is supposedly looking at. It means that we can't be totally sure we can rely on the player and for the club that means our only option is to put him on the transfer list.

"Webster's agent is looking after his own interests and the situation is entirely the result of his agent's games which do not help the club or the player."

Duddy was unavailable for comment today, but Romanov insisted that the current situation could have been avoided if he had broached the subject in time for the player to leave Tynecastle during the transfer window.

And the Lithuanian banker stressed that no-one at the club would have stood in his way if that had been the case. He added: "It if was his intention to move him on, why wasn't this made clear before the January transfer window and we could then have a fair and open discussion

"No-one would have stood in Webster's way if that was his choice. Instead it feels like an unfair game with the club and I am very saddened by this."
Sports comment

VLADIMIR ROMANOV’S decision to slap Andy Webster on the transfer list could backfire on the Hearts owner.

With Hearts chasing second spot in the SPL and with it a lucrative Champions League spot, it seems madness to deny the team the services of the 22-times capped defender.

And, while the Lithuanian is irked at Webster’s reluctance to sign a contract extension, would it not benefit Hearts in the short term to include a player desperate to impress and therefore perform to the best of his ability?

This would also ensure that, should Webster leave the club at the end of his deal, Hearts would receive the best possible fee for one of their prized assets.

Romanov’s stunning attack on the player is sure to harm club morale at a time when all energies should be focused on the fight for second spot in the league.

Webster’s experience in defence would surely be valuable as Valdas Ivanauskas’ men look to cross the finishing line.

Taken from the Scotsman