Webster stamping his authority on Hearts return

George Burley witnessed Webster's commanding influence first time at Hearts and tried on several occasions to enlist him for national service whilst managing Scotland. Injury problems restricted the player to one appearance in a B international during the 54-year-old's two-year tenure.

Burley isn't one to harbour regrets over what might have been, but suffice to say Webster's presence as a fit and experienced centre-back may have prevented some of the merciless pastings suffered during his reign. Take Wales and Norway, for example. Indeed, his entire time with Scotland might have taken on a different complexion with Webster available.

Provided he remains fit and plays regularly at Tynecastle, Burley knows it is only a matter of time before his successor, Craig Levein, calls on the defender to add to his 23 caps.

"I had Andy at Hearts, I brought him into a Scotland B squad and I tried to get him into the full squad while I was Scotland manager," Burley told the Evening News. "It was just circumstance which dictated he couldn't get involved. At that time I think he had a groin problem which prevented him training and everything. I think he's an outstanding centre-half. Whenever I've worked with him, either at Hearts or Scotland, he's always impressed me. He has all the attributes.

"When he was playing at Dundee United I spoke to Craig Levein (then United manager) two or three times. He had this groin problem and wasn't training regularly. There were two different squads I wanted to bring him into but he wasn't really 100 per cent fit. Then he came and played for us in the B squad and did really well. He was always in my thoughts.

"His career, for whatever reason, hasn't run smoothly since he left Hearts so now he's back he has the opportunity to show what he can do. I think he's capable of getting back into the squad, there's no doubt about that. Craig will know him very well from Dundee United, of course. I think he'll be looking at Andy. If he gets himself playing regularly and fully fit then it's a great opportunity to get back involved with Scotland."

The controversies of Webster's departure from Hearts have been well documented in the wake of his return to Tynecastle. The effect of his fallout with Vladimir Romanov in 2006 is illustrated by the fact he has won only one full cap since. However, it is worth remembering how he overcame an awkward situation 12 months beforehand as Rangers lodged a 1million offer for the player only weeks after Burley was appointed manager. "When I took over there was all this speculation about Andy," recalled Burley. "I think at the time he was looking to go to Rangers but we went to Ireland on tour and I said to Andy to stay behind. I told him I wanted him to stay with Hearts because the club was moving forward, and we never looked back from there. He was outstanding after that. He had a very good partnership with Steven Pressley.

"There is no doubt he is capable of getting back into the Scottish squad but he's got to prove it all over again. It's like everything in football, you need to knuckle down and show what he can do."

Webster certainly looked a worthwhile acquisition strutting effortlessly around New Douglas Park at the weekend. He can surely only improve with increased match sharpness. There are those glad to see him again, like Jefferies and many Hearts supporters. There are those glad to see the back of him, like the Rangers manager Walter Smith. Burley falls into the category of those who wish they had more opportunity to work with him.

"He's a smashing lad, good pro, works hard in training, very focused. I think he's just a fine professional and I've never had any problems with him. He wants to things properly in training and he's very focused in that environment.

"I think you move on in football. Whatever happened at Hearts was a long time ago. Andy will have looked to see what was available and I'm sure moving back to Edinburgh and playing for Hearts again was something that appealed greatly. He will have looked at it knowing he enjoyed his time there before. I'm sure it will help his career get up and running again.

"He went to Wigan after leaving Hearts and it didn't quite work for him there. It's hard to say whether he would try it down in England in the future because he needs to be playing regularly and getting himself fit. Hearts are having a good season, they're trying to push the Old Firm all the way. That's going to be a big challenge for him.

"Hearts is a great club with a fantastic support and Edinburgh is a lovely place to live. The move back there had a lot of things going for it from Andy's perspective."

If it helps reignite his international career, returning to Gorgie will have been the smartest move Andy Webster ever made.