FANS INSIST CLUB RIGHT TO CASH IN

HEARTS fans have backed Vladimir Romanov's decision to transfer-list Andy Webster.

Supporters' Trust secretary Derek Watson spoke out about the move yesterday.

He said: "We are glad it is now all out in the open rather than the club just saying all the time that he's being rested.

"It's hard to hold on to players who want to move on and Hearts may as well cash in on Andy rather than let him walk away like we did with Paul Ritchie.

"I think it was obvious this was going to happen and there is no point in trying to hold on to players when they want to go.

"It's unfortunate it has happened at this stage of the season but it is the right thing to do."

Watson reckons agent Charles Duddy is to blame for Webster being pushed towards the exit door.

He said: "I don't think there will be any animosity towards because he has been a good player for Hearts and Scotland but there might be towards his agent.

Meanwhile, Webster's former boss at first senior club Arbroath has defended the player against Romanov's claims he can no longer trust him. Dave Baikie, now in charge at East Fife, once pitched a teenage Webster into a Scottish Cup tie against Motherwell and watched him mark John Spencer out of the game.

Baikie said: "Andy was an exceptional young man who knew how to conduct himself, even as a teenager.

"He was part of a group of 16 youngsters we took on as part of a government-sponsored scheme in 1999 and thrived at the club.

"He moved from the Under-18s into the reserves, then on to the bench before finally making the first team.

"I still remember playing him in a Scottish Cup replay at Motherwell in an unfamiliar midfield role with instructions to stick close to Spencer.

"Motherwell beat us 2-0 but Andy did a superb job on Spencer and handled the occasion exceptionally well.

"I knew I could trust Andy that night and it's disappointing to read Romanov say he cannot trust him now.

"Like any employee, it is his right to sign a new contract or not. If he was given his place back in the Hearts team he would not let anyone down - it's not in Andy's nature."

Taken from the Daily Record