It’s our time to follow in footsteps of Hearts legends

Stopper Webster entered the ranks of Jambos’ Scottish Cup winners when Hearts hammered Hibs 5-1 last May.

Now he is one of seven Hampden survivors hoping to go a step further and add a League Cup winner’s gong.

By doing so he would join such Gorgie legends as Dave Mackay, John Cumming, Willie Bauld, Alfie Conn and Jimmy Wardhaugh.

Webster, Jamie MacDonald, Darren Barr, Marius Zaliukas, Scott Robinson, Mehdi Taouil and Andrew Driver will get that chance if they can see off Inverness at Easter Road today.

And Webster, 30, admits that’s a massive motivation for him and his team-mates as they prepare to go up against Terry Butcher’s side.

He said: “At Hearts down the years the opportunity to win silverware has generally come through the cups rather than the league.

“Hearts have not won the Scottish Cup all that often — and it has been 50 years since we won the League Cup.

“So this is a great opportunity to get to another final, even though we face a massive task.

“When you have an association with a club like Hearts, the history side of it does mean something to you.

“You walk around Tynecastle and you see the Willie Bauld and John Robertson suites and there is memorabilia and bits and pieces everywhere.

“You learn a lot of legends have played here in the past.

“It’s probably odd Hearts have not won the League Cup for so long, because 50 years is quite a while, but circumstances have dictated that.

“But for us this is a massive opportunity to get to another final and it would be a great occasion if we were to get back to Hampden.”

Several of last year’s Hampden heroes have already left Jambos, including Rudi Skacel, Ian Black, Stephen Elliott and, most recently, Ryan McGowan.

It means young players like Kevin McHattie, Dylan McGowan and Jason Holt could have the chance to experience cup glory for themselves.

And Webster does not expect he will need to get anyone fired up at Easter Road today.

He added: “It does not matter if you are 18 or 35 — if you don’t appreciate the significance of a semi-final then you are in the wrong job. Everyone wants to get to the highest level to test themselves against the best and play in these occasions. That is what you want to taste more than anything else.

“You don’t go into any cup competition thinking: ‘I really don’t want to win this’.

“For every team this tournament is a chance to lift silverware. We are out of the Scottish Cup so it is our best chance of winning a trophy this season and we have to look at this as a massive opportunity.”

Webster knows all about winning semi-finals having lifted the Scottish Cup with both Hearts and Dundee United.

Caley Thistle, in contrast, have never competed in a major final since their formation in 1994.

But Butcher’s men have been in fantastic form this season and are the SPL’s top scorers with 47 goals in just 22 games. And Webster admits he will have to keep a close eye on his old Rangers team-mate Andrew Shinnie if the Jambos are to progress.

He said: “Our experience will probably count for a bit, but their results show they are in great form, so you can look at it whatever way you want.

“Hopefully the know-how of having been there before can stand us in good stead.

“Andy Shinnie is a very talented player. He has shown that this season and that has been highlighted by the fact he has been capped for Scotland.

“He is in great form and doing well along with the rest of the Inverness boys.”

However, Webster believes it could be the signing of another ex-Ger that could swing today’s tie in Hearts favour.

Danny Wilson has joined the Jambos on a six-month loan deal from Liverpool.

And Webster claims the signing of his 21-year-old Scotland colleague is a huge coup for boss John McGlynn.

Webster added: “Danny’s a great signing for Hearts and it will be mutually beneficial for him and the club. He’s a good footballer, a good defender and looking for an opportunity to play games, which he will get here.

“And it works for Hearts because we have been able to bring in a player of excellent calibre.

“It is a clever move by the gaffer because there are not very many young players about with the kind of first-team experience and talent Danny has. He will be an excellent addition.”

HEARTS players to have won the Scottish Cup and League Cup: Willie Duff, Bobby Kirk, Tam McKenzie, Dave Mackay, Freddie Glidden, John Cumming, Alex Young, Alfie Conn, Jimmy Wardhaugh, Willie Bauld and Ian Crawford.