Cursed Andy Webster deserves sympathy

Nov 30 2008 Gordon Waddell

A FEW deranged Hearts fans will call it poetic justice.

But when you read the football shorts today spare a thought for poor Andy Webster.

In five seasons at Tynecastle he played more than 200 games if you include his internationals. A total iron man.

A classic Scottish football success story, through the ranks from Division Two, up to the top end of the SPL and 22 caps before he'd turned 2 4, Premiership looming.

But the day he walks out the Tynecastle door and hits the headlines for trying to tear up his contract under a FIFA loophole?

Cursed. Two knee injuries, an ankle injury, a hernia and now it's his back.

In three seasons he's started five games with three different clubs. He went on loan to get form and fitness back, ended up an unused sub most weeks and then was injured again.

It's a long way back, if there even is one. But Andy was too good a player and too decent a lad not to hope he makes it.