Billy Brown backs Andy Webster for swift return to Scotland duty

"He's only played the one game and he was quite impressive in that," Brown said yesterday. "He's got good stature about him, he's only 28 and he's just reaching his prime.

"He has got loads of experience now. He has a will about him and an enthusiasm about him to do well here. He is a good player. I watched him a lot at Dundee United last season and he was outstanding there. I'm sure if he can repeat that here, he's got a good career in front of him and he can get back in the Scotland set-up."

It was Levein who first signed Webster for Hearts back in 2001, and who took the player on loan from Rangers to Dundee United last season, shortly before leaving Tannadice to become manager of the national team. With that history, Brown is confident that Levein appreciates Webster's qualities and thinks that two or three more good outings for Hearts could see the centre-back called up for the friendly against Brazil at the Emirates Stadium on 27 March. "It's up to Craig, but let's be honest, Craig likes Andy Webster. It was Craig who signed him here in the first place and Craig who brought him to United.

"I would think if he is fit and well that there is a chance he could be in that (squad for the Brazil game]. Craig decides who plays in these games, but central defenders are not something we are well endowed with at the moment, and I would think he must be in Craig's thoughts if he comes through these games.

"When we were here last time I think at one time we had six or seven boys involved in one international pool," Brown continued, referring to the first spell he and Jim Jefferies had in charge at Tynecastle. "Hearts are a big club and we have good players and we should be expecting players from Hearts to be in the Scotland set-up."

Left-back Lee Wallace is back on top form following his return from injury, and winger David Templeton has also been mentioned in despatches by Levein recently. Another winger, Andrew Driver, is also well known to Levein, who successfully lobbied for a change in the eligibility rules to ensure the England-born player could be included.

Driver is now back in the Hearts squad after knee and thigh injuries, but has yet to start a match, leading Brown to argue that he should not be rushed into the Scotland set-up

"Before he gets in the Scotland team he has to get in the Hearts team. I think he (Levein] should hold it a bit on Andy Driver. He's got to get back playing regularly and he's not done that for a while. I'm sure he's another one that Craig has in his sights."

Driver is likely to be among the substitutes for Hearts' home game against Dundee United tomorrow, while Webster will start against his old club. A win would further strengthen Hearts' already firm hold on third place in the SPL - a position Brown hopes to cement as soon as possible, although he admitted to being surprised at just how far ahead of the chasing pack his club were.

"Every game is big in our quest to nail third position as quickly as we can. Dundee United have picked up, they have a stronger team with Craig Conway back, so it's a big game, a game we have to win.

"You can't take anything for granted in football, but the position we're in we can only throw it away. But you have to keep winning. Teams are not going to make it easy for us.

"I'm quite surprised we are that far clear in third position. Maybe it's because the likes of United lost important players and have had a few injuries this season.

"At the start of the season, you look at what you've got and you never know how it's going to pan out, but it's panned out well for us and we're absolutely delighted we have the points we do have at this stage. I didn't envisage us having that number of points but we certainly deserve it. When we came here last season it was a struggle to be in the top six and whether we deserved to get into the top six I don't know, but we certainly deserve to be there this year and it has exceeded our expectations, to be honest."

Strikers Kevin Kyle and Calum Elliot are still out through injury. Wallace sat out training yesterday because of an ankle problem but should be able to start tomorrow's match.

Taken from the Scotsman