‘Andy Wester is a leader’, says proud John McGlynn

By STUART BATHGATE
Published on 08/02/2013 00:00

HEARTS manager John McGlynn was both proud and delighted to see Andy Webster take over as Scotland captain during Wednesday night’s win over Estonia at Pittodrie. McGlynn watched Webster at Arbroath before the central defender signed on for his first spell at Tynecastle, and even then was sure the player had the character to lead a team.

“Andy was one of those players I watched at Arbroath before we even bought him,” McGlynn said yesterday. “You could tell he was a leader – even as a young defender he was talking in the Arbroath team. He’s got that leadership quality and stature and he is a big, solid, strong defender.” Webster took over the armband from Scott Brown after the Celtic player went off. The defender took a knock to the hip during the 1-0 victory, Gordon Strachan’s first in charge of the national team, but McGlynn is sure he will be fit for Hearts’ match at Tannadice tomorrow.

And, while many had doubts about Webster’s big-game mentality during his time at Rangers, McGlynn explained that he was always confident in the player’s ability and attitude. “I have no doubts in him playing for Scotland. Although he didn’t have the greatest of times at Rangers, he would be the first to tell you that himself.

“He went to Dundee United on loan and won the Scottish Cup with them, and there were big games involved in winning that trophy. And he’s played in big European games with Hearts over the years. Andy has played many times for Scotland and I am sure it was a great privilege and honour for him to get the captain’s armband when Scott Brown went off and I’m delighted for him that he got that. Craig Levein liked Andy and played him at centre-back many times. We’re fortunate at Hearts to have Andy and Marius Zaliukas, as all the younger guys in the team look up to them.”

Zaliukas and Webster have complementary strengths, while Danny Wilson, who is on loan at Hearts from Liverpool, looks very similar in style to his fellow Scot. Wilson is currently out of the international reckoning, having failed to get regular first-team football at Anfield, but McGlynn believes he will soon be included in Strachan’s squad.

“Danny Wilson has come here to get first-team football and get his career back on track. Danny has not played quite as much as he and everybody would have hoped at Liverpool, and he wants to be playing football at Hearts regularly. I’m sure in time he will attract international attention, as he absolutely oozes class.”

McGlynn missed the first half of the match as he was conducting a coaching session with Hearts’ under-17 and under-15 squads. But he caught the second 45 minutes and was impressed by what he saw. “Any manager wants to get off to a winning start, so it’s a big plus,” he said. “It was a good victory and it seemed very comfortable.”