Union steps in to defend Webster

TONY Higgins, the secretary of the SPFA, criticised Vladimir Romanov yesterday for his reasoning behind putting Andy Webster on the transfer list. The players' union boss praised the integrity of the Hearts and Scotland centre-back, and said the SPFA would have to consider their legal options if Webster were to complain to them about his treatment by the club's owner.

"Knowing Andy Webster and his development as a player, he has always been a guy who gives 100 per cent both at club and national level," Higgins said at an SPFA open day at Hampden. "I think clubs have got to be very careful in using the term 'trust'. The one thing you can guarantee from Andy Webster is commitment."

Earlier this week Romanov was quoted as saying that claims that Webster was interested in a move to Rangers meant that Hearts "can't be totally sure we can rely on the player". While there may be a semantic distinction between the meanings of "trust" and "rely", Higgins' point was that Webster, as a committed professional, is both trustworthy and reliable.

"The vast majority of professional players give their full-time and wholehearted commitment to the club they're playing with," he went on. "Clubs have got to be very cautious with the statements they make about players.

"I don't know in the strictest terms what trust means or what Hearts mean. But the reality is you shouldn't enter that arena of discussion about the character unless you know exactly what's going on, and I don't think anybody at this stage can say that.

"Look at Gary Caldwell of Hibs or Kenny Miller down at Wolves. They've signed deals to move on to Celtic, and I'm sure the last thing anyone would comment on is their lack of commitment.

"I'm just worried about the language that comes out. What we try to do in football is protect the industry. If players lose respect for the contract system the game is finished.

"In my view and that of the SPFA, Andy Webster is 100 per cent professional and will continue to give his best when he plays for Hearts. There are loads of important games coming up, including the Scottish Cup final, and I'm sure he's desperate to participate in them. The modern player knows that if he wants a new contract the last thing he can do is sit back and do nothing for his present club.

"At the moment we're waiting for details from the other side, but ultimately we'd have to look at it very, very closely if a complaint came in."

Higgins acknowledged that "the power of selection always lies with the manager - or with the club", but other issues such as restraint of trade might arise if Romanov instructed the Hearts coaching team to omit Webster from the first team for the year and a bit still to run on his contract. One possible precedent is that of Nuno Capucho and Emerson, both of whom were released by Rangers with a year of their contracts to go after they had sought players' union help when they felt they were being frozen out.

"I'd like to pay tribute to the Hearts players and to Steven Pressley in particular," Higgins added. "He has shown magnificent leadership on and off the park. I think Andy Webster is a player like Steven, and if you look at the next generation of players and ask who is likely to emerge as a leader you would say Andy."

Pressley, the Hearts captain, attended the Hampden occasion, but declined to talk about Webster's situation or about speculation regarding the nature of Hearts' treatment of injured players. He insisted, however, that the squad would remain united, as it had done during previous controversies.

"As a group of players throughout this season we have shown our unity and spirit," he said. "The important thing for us is that there are two-and-a-half weeks left and we have a chance to make this season one of the most memorable in the club's history.

"We have to remain focused. I don't think that can come into question. That in itself should be an inspiration for us - the fact that the goals are there."

Pressley also praised Valdas Ivanauskas, the interim coach who has had to deal with difficulties such as the Webster situation. "Valdas has been very good and is very well respected. He's a good coach, he's done himself a lot of favours since he took charge, and I'm sure he'll be in consideration for the job come the end of the season."

Although he missed last weekend's Edinburgh derby because of a back injury, Pressley hopes he can return for Sunday's SPL match against Celtic. "I had a very good day today in terms of treatment and rehabilitation, and I'm going to attempt to train tomorrow for the first time in 12 days. Hopefully if there's no reaction I'll be considered to play against Celtic."

Hearts' four-point lead over Rangers means that with three matches to go they could wrap up second place this weekend provided they beat the new champions and Alex McLeish's side lose to Kilmarnock. Pressley, however, expects his team to be required to win all of their remaining fixtures. "We'll have to win the remaining three games - and I believe we have the players to do so."

Taken from the Scotsman