HIGGINS: VLAD'S MAD TO TAKE A POP AT WEBSTER

PLAYERS' UNION chief Tony Higgins last night defended Andy Webster and hit back at Vladimir Romanov's public assasination of the player's character.

The language used by Hearts' Lithuanian owner riled Higgins.

Romanov insisted he had no trust in Webster because the defender does not want to sign a new contract - a statement that could be construed as calling him a cheat.

Higgins said: "Knowing Andy Webster and his development as a

player, he has always given 100 per cent at both club and international level and clubs have to be very careful about using the term trust in this way.

"We live in a post-Bosman era. The reality is that after Bosman, conditions have changed and Andy is reaching the last year of his contract during which he can speak with other clubs.

"The vast majority of players give a full-time and wholehearted effort to the club they are with.

"If these players don't do that then they won't get another employer so clubs must be very cautious about what they say about players.

"It's a global game and these comments can be read all over the world.

"Romanov has used the term trust and I don't know what he or Hearts mean by that.

"The morality of it is that you don't enter that arena with a professional player.

"We have Gary Caldwell at Hibs and Kenny Miller down at Wolves who will both be joining Celtic in the summer. The last thing anyone would comment on is their commitment to their clubs during the end of their contracts.

"Football players must be able to exercise their rights towards the end of a contract to seek a new employer.

"I don't know the details of what has gone on and that is another matter but in the view of the SPFA, Andy Webster is a 100 per cent professional who would continue to do his best for Hearts."

Higgins insisted it was not in Webster's best interests to appear as if he didn't care - and pointed out there is also a Scottish Cup Final coming up which could offer the player the chance to win the first medal of his career.

The SPFA chief said: "The modern players know that to obtain a new contract the last thing the should do is to sit back and do nothing.

"If you have a reputation for being a 100 per cent player, as Andy has, then you will want to play as often as you can.

"And then there is a Scottish Cup Final coming up which I'm sure he is desperate to participate in."

At the moment the SPFA can't intervene but if it comes to pass that Romanov would prefer to allow Webster to rot in the Tynecastle reserves for an entire year rather than allow him a move then action will be taken.

Higgins said: "The power of selection always lies with the manager."

He then paused as if remembering the involvement of Romanov and added: "Or the club."

Higgins said: "Players understand that and I would like to pay tribute to the Hearts players this season, including Steven Pressley who has been a magnificent leader on and off the park and has held everything together.

"Andy is a figure like Steven.If you look at the next person to emerge as a leader then Andy would be the natural choice.

"If the club wouldn't release a player then we would take our own advice on that."

Higgins is correct to say the statesman-like Pressley has been magnificent this season.

But yesterday the Hearts captain wasn't so keen to comment on the latest goings-on behind the scenes at Tynecastle.

Perhaps it was just one fall-out too many. But Pressley insisted the players would stick together.

The club skipper, who has no plans to meet Romanov, said: "I have nothing to say about it, other than to point out that as a group of players throughout an enduring season we have shown our unity and spirit. That will go on.

"We have two and half weeks remaining and we could make history for this club by reaching the Champions League and by winning the Scottish Cup."

Pressley should be fit to face Celtic in the SPL at Tynecastle on Sunday.

Taken from the Daily Record