Andy Webster ban causes headache for Hearts boss

By BARRY ANDERSON
Published on Thursday 23 February 2012 10:01

HEARTS manager Paulo Sergio faces a critical decision over who should replace the suspended Andy Webster for Saturday’s match against Dundee United. The Portuguese must choose between Adrian Mrowiec, Darren Barr and Ryan McGowan to partner Marius Zaliukas in central defence.

Webster is banned for one game after accumulating six cautions in the SPL this season. He is available for next weekend’s visit to Ibrox but will sit out as his former club United visit Tynecastle.

McGowan is keen to seize an opportunity to play centre-back, one of his favoured positions, after filling in at right-back and left-back this season. Sergio, however, may favour the more experienced Barr or could opt to move Mrowiec from midfield into central defence.

“As long as I’m on the pitch it doesn’t bother me being shunted about in different positions. I’ll play where the manager asks me to,” McGowan told the Evening News. “I’ve played centre- back before so it’s up to the manager who he wants to play there. If he gives me the shout, I’ll try my best for the team.”

Hearts’ back four has changed regularly since the turn of the year due to injuries and suspensions but McGowan doesn’t feel it is a major problem.

“If you’ve got a stable back four it can help but these things happen in football,” he said.

Meanwhile, Hearts today confirmed the signing of striker Craig Beattie on a short-term contract until the end of the season. The Scotland internationalist, 28, was a free agent after his release from Swansea City.

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35

busbyfth

Thursday, February 23, 2012 at 08:16 PM

Back on story........Play McGowan or Barr - either would do me, but NOT Mrowiec - his positional sense at dead ball situations is second only to Zaliukas. Beattie - if back on song - VERY decent signing.

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34

Uncle Tam

Thursday, February 23, 2012 at 07:18 PM

How come every media outlet other than the Edinburgh Evening Hib is carying the story of Craig Beattie's signing?

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33

LionRampant

Thursday, February 23, 2012 at 05:14 PM

#32 Top six could be mathematically impossible for Hibs after this weekend. As for Hearts, if get beat to United then we'll be seriously struggling to make the top 6 too. At least we might get the opportunity to relegate Hibs though.

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32

Baldrick

Thursday, February 23, 2012 at 04:47 PM

I hadn't truly appreciated just how dire things are for Hibs at present. Close scrutiny of the league table is very revealing. Somehow I had thought that two or three wins would put them in contention for the Top 6. Far from it. Two or three wins would still leave them in 11th place and time is running out. They may well move to the bottom on Saturday and they may well stay there. Their defensive record is attrocious.

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31

Rambo the Jambo

Thursday, February 23, 2012 at 04:14 PM

#30 - No 27 is formerly Riley Hamish (Biley to us), he's a Motherwell fan and runs a gay website. He disappeared for a while, suspect he was inside but unfortunately he's back. Best not to respond to his guff, he has no connection whatsoever with Edinburgh

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30

Portsmouth 657

Thursday, February 23, 2012 at 03:33 PM

Can't stop laughing at No.27. Pity he doesn't speak english.

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29

Atholl Brigade

Thursday, February 23, 2012 at 02:59 PM

#27 shîtefisted - quite a lot of people care actually.

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28

Uncle Tam

Thursday, February 23, 2012 at 02:34 PM

#26 Tightie, please enlighten me. is it your contention that Rangers are in a better position financially than Hearts or Hibs?

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27

Tightfisted

Thursday, February 23, 2012 at 01:51 PM

#13 DUNCE of CUMBERNAULD Aye, and imagine gettin' beat wi' ateam that with a WHOLE TEN MEN could only beat HMFC by THREE (although it could JUST as aeasy have been 7--8---or even NINE (according to the BBC commentators at the weekend Pathetic Edinburgh drivel about which of these two hapless crews are the worse.................and WHO CARES anyhow.??????........ ..............................Eh MOOOCHACHOS?????

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26

Tightfisted

Thursday, February 23, 2012 at 01:47 PM

Oh Dear...............more "We're jist a tiny bit less bad than you are" stuff from the two pathetic Edina clubs. Och well.....fill yer boots guys......while the rest of the SPL giggles happily at your expense. Debt and relegation..............It's an EdIna thing then,.......Eh??

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25

JaimeDLG

Thursday, February 23, 2012 at 01:35 PM

Happy to see Hearts finish in the top 6 as I dont think they would try too hard against Dunfermline in the final game.

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24

JaimeDLG

Thursday, February 23, 2012 at 01:33 PM

Dont know why Hearts are worrying... He only keeps his good games and goals for the matches with Hibs.

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23

Portsmouth 657

Thursday, February 23, 2012 at 01:32 PM

I think #1 was the original Fibs fan. Fibs by name...

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22

Psycho

Thursday, February 23, 2012 at 01:28 PM

Hahahahahahahaha Kindergarten posters...............

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21

De Vries Scores Four

Thursday, February 23, 2012 at 01:19 PM

#18 - If only we had the goal scoring machines that fester down leith way. Garry and Leigh (ha ha ha oh ma sides). Maybe that way we would have only won 4 games this season too. Oh ma sides. Beattie could be great for Hearts and if not, come the end of the season, bye bye. Its a win win for the JTs. Who's Pat going to sign? Certainly not a Striker with international experience and 16 goals for the Tic. Jealous much?

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