Webster still in frame for final, says Gordon

SINCE it's often wise in the Vladimir Romanov era at Tynecastle to expect the unexpected, Craig Gordon has suggested no-one should be too taken aback, in the event of Andy Webster recovering from injury, if the Scotland centre-half is part of the Hearts squad which faces Gretna on Saturday in the Tennent's Scottish Cup final.

Webster, who has been left out of Hearts' last six league games because of the combination of a heel injury and his unwillingness to sign a contract extension, played in all four of Hearts' previous cup ties against Hibs, Partick Thistle, Aberdeen and Kilmarnock.

Although he's unlikely to start the final, it remains to be seen if football politics will deny the 24-year-old central defender an opportunity to win a medal from the bench with the club he's served so admirably since moving from Arbroath five years ago.

Asked if he had feelings for Webster should the defender miss out, Gordon, 23, replied: "He might be [involved]. We don't know yet what the team will be. Andy is still coming back from injury, but he has as much chance as anybody."

Having gone through the trauma as a player and fan of fearing for the club's future, Gordon, who signed a lucrative new three-year contract recently, yesterday described the turnaround in fortune under Vladimir Romanov's ownership as "unbelievable".

He said: "Even over the past ten months, the change is remarkable. Thanks to Mr Romanov's financial backing, Hearts have not only been able to keep players but are also looking to redevelop the stadium."

Gordon, a former Tynecastle Boys club player who was a spectator at Celtic Park when Hearts last won the Scottish Cup in 1998, added: "We know we have to be fully focused against Gretna and play to the best of our ability. They come in with nothing to lose. But we've had a lot of experience this season of taking part in big games, and this one is no different.

"None of us will be taking this lightly - Steven Pressley, for example, hasn't won anything as a Hearts player and after being captain here for a number of years is desperate to lift a trophy. I also remember watching the guys come back from Glasgow with the cup eight years ago and to match that achievement as a player myself would mean so much to me as a Hearts supporter."

With more than 30,000 Hearts fans expected to make the trip to Hampden Park on Saturday, the international goalkeeper is optimistic about what lies ahead for the club.

"It just shows as we make that step up to challenge Rangers and Celtic that we're not that far behind them in support," he said. "When Hearts are playing decent football, we know we have a big fan base who will come out and back us."

Taken from the Scotsman