Webster in the wilderness

THE minute I type this I will expect the men in white coats to come and take me away. Especially after the rant he issued on Friday which suggests that before the transfer window shuts and the production team for the Muppet Show - in town for the Edinburgh Fringe - get on their plane, they better check that none have been signed up by Vladimir Romanov to help bolster his Hearts squad. After all he seems to have no issues with puppets, provided they are his subordinates.

But, while the man's more whacky ravings make it difficult to utter any agreement with him in public without allying yourself with the more insane elements of society, maybe Hearts' Lithuanian owner had a point when he questioned the advice Andy Webster has been getting.
Living.scotsman.com MPU

Yeah, the young guy has signed the papers to get him his Premiership move but it has been a protracted and agonising affair and with loopholes and fine print still being scrutinised by FIFA, there are undoubtedly a few twists still to turn.

But the fact it has dragged on so long may be a point the defender may want to ponder as he questions if the whole situation could have been handled better.

As it was, it was all too public and has allowed the bitterness to build and led to one of Scotland's most promising defenders spending far too large a chunk of last season in first-team exile.

It stirred up unrest and contributed to more back page headlines than the club, the player or Romanov himself were happy with, but forget all that.

The most troubling aspect was that the guy himself missed out on the run-in which saw them secure their shot at the Champions League qualifiers and also a Scottish Cup medal. That in itself was telling given the fact he had gone on record saying that the most important things for him were the baubles he could look back on in his dotage, so as the Hearts team trotted up the Hampden steps to collect their medals, he must have been mulling over what might have been. Obviously playing week in week out in the Premiership is the ambition of many players but so too is playing for your country and it can't have been too heartening for Webster to hear the Scotland manager bemoaning the lack of first-team football he has been getting of late. It may cost him when Walter Smith is making his team selections for the upcoming European Championship qualifiers.

If it does, here's hoping it is a short-term blip in a long career of success because as a country we need players with his quality and ability to learn and grow. If it is a longer term upset, he might start to see some sense in some of Vlad's words. But only if he can siphon them out from the rest of the tosh he utters.
SPL 2 needs far more than just a glamorous name

OH MY goodness, here we go again. A new season and yet another debate on the merits of league reconstruction, falling attendances, missing sponsors and the lack of money in the Scottish game. Now, there is always room for discussion - but please don't anyone be fooled into be believing that just because they are playing in a league called SPL2 rather than the First Division that fixtures between Hamilton v Clyde will suddenly bolster the gates, enhance the quality and see player budgets balloon.

Yes, it may work out and it may be better but remember, if clubs do glean more cash through the revamp that could be immediately offset by the fact that several stadiums will need revamped and youth teams and reserves sides paid for as part of the criteria. So before we make knee jerk reactions, lets find out how this new set-up is really going to help clubs before we spend money on reorganising and rebranding when it would be better spent on youth development.
Murray proves doubters wrong

ALL those people who had been questioning the odds of Andy Murray actually living up to the hype and making it to the top, must be settling down to a nice plate of humble pie.

There is no doubting the guy has the game and the fact he is accelerating up the rankings is a great indication. He knows that when he gets there, guys like Rafa Nadal and Roger Federer are waiting but he's not scared. He proved that against the World No.1 in Cincinnati last week.

But while that was impressive - yeah I know Fed had an off day but Murray still had the game and the heart to capitalise on it - it was the next day that gave the better indication. Dead on his feet after 11 games in 13 days and with the extra pressure on his shoulders it was his basic skill and his guts that got him through.

Murray still has improvements to make and will work hard on his fitness over the coming year. He has to but he knows that.

In the meantime, he has moved up into the top 20 and showed against Robby Ginepri that he has the desire to go all the way.

Taken from the Scotsman