League Cup Final will be first of two big Hampden dates for Andy Webster

Euan McLean

HEARTS skipper will try to get his hands on the League Cup Final first then will look forward to another big Hampden day as Scotland face Wales next Friday.

ANDY WEBSTER is looking forward to arguably the biggest week of his career with two big dates at Hampden inside six days.

First, the small matter of the League Cup Final as the Hearts captain strives to win his third trophy in as many years.

But if he does lift that silverware – to go with the two Scottish Cups won with the Jambos and Dundee United – expect the celebrations to be low key.

Because the stopper has another big day to occupy his thoughts with Scotland facing Wales at the National Stadium next Friday.

Most players will go their entire careers without experiencing a final or international cap at the home of Scottish football. Now Webster is ready to feast on both.

He said: “It’s an exceptional week and that’s what you want – to perform to your best at the highest level.

“Cup finals are what you are looking to be part of and being involved with the Scotland squad is another thing you strive for.

“You want to contest the trophies and it’s great I’ve been able to do that with both United and Hearts.

“You want to make your own history and winning trophies certainly does that. We are going for back-to-back successes after winning the Scottish Cup last year and that’s something we will relish.

“From a cup point of view it speaks volumes for our consistency but we have been less impressive in the SPL.

“Still we can be proud we have shown a bit of form in the League Cup this season and the Scottish Cup last season.

“We are also aware if we win it will be Hearts’ first League Cup in 50 years. So we know what’s at stake.”

Hampden hasn’t always been so kind to Webster. Before he raised aloft that first Scottish Cup as United’s stand-in captain in May 2010 his memories of the National Stadium tended to be sitting in the stand watching Rangers play without him.

Andy Webster is looking forward to the biggest week of his life Webster lifted the Scottish Cup with Hearts last term
SNS Group/Craig Williamson

It’s a disappointing spell of his career that he prefers not to dwell on but it certainly makes him appreciate the good Hampden moments all the more.

He said: “It’s not until you play and are contributing that you feel part of the occasion. What happened at Rangers is long gone and I’m only focused on a massive game on Sunday.

“I’m not bothered about looking back and thinking if, what and maybe. It’s all about the here and now. Then in 10 or 15 years I can sit down and think about it.

“If you stand still and dwell on things then you get left behind. At the time it was frustrating but my full focus is on what I’m doing now.”
Jim Goodwin promises boss Danny Lennon he's fit for League Cup Final

One man will be feeling the pain Webster used to suffer in the stand when the action kicks off against St Mirren without him.

For so much of the season club captain Marius Zaliukas was a key influence beside Webster in the Jambos defence.

But an ankle injury has ended his season and most likely his career on Gorgie with summer budget cuts looming.

Yet Webster – who has taken the armband in the Lithuanian’s absence – insists Zaliukas remains a key figure and might ask his team-mate to lift the Cup with him if the Tynecastle men are victorious.

Just as big-hearted Webby did for injured Lee Wilkie when Dundee United lifted the Scottish Cup three years ago.

He said: “Marius will have a role to play as he is the club captain.

“It’s disappointing from his point of view but he will definitely still have a role to play in the dressing room.

“Let’s concentrate on the football side of things first and whatever comes after will happen. But I lifted the Cup with Lee at United and that might give you an insight.

“We are not going to get complacent and our full focus will be on the match.

“It should be a close game. St Mirren won our last match 2-0 but it was with a penalty and a 35-yarder. Sometimes you can’t legislate for these things.

“St Mirren can say they’ve won the last game so want to keep the momentum going while we will say we want to right the wrongs. The proof will be in the pudding come Sunday.”

While the Buddies were whisked away to a fancy hotel in St Andrews for their preparations, Webster was happy with Hearts’ low-key build up to the big game.

The 30-year-old said: “It has just been a normal preparation and I would rather just have normality, be at home and do what I want to do.

“Footballers are creatures of habit and like their routine. On the park or off it.”

If Hearts can deliver the glory they crave on Sunday it will be a remarkable feat after suffering cuts to the squad and yet another managerial change.

John McGlynn’s shock sacking just weeks after steering his young side to the Final was callous, even by owner Vladimir Romanov’s standards, but Webster insists all the players can do is keep looking straight ahead.

He added: “Someone asked me the other week if you become immune to the off-field stuff. That’s a wee bit unfair. People are losing their jobs. The manager recently lost his and you are saddened by these things.

“I don’t know if it has brought us closer but there is unity in the team. These things occasionally get discussed but generally as a club we stick together. As a footballer all you can focus on are the things you can influence.”

Taken from the Daily Record