Hearts boss reveals why Andy Webster was benched

Published on 01/10/2012 12:00

HEARTS manager John 
McGlynn revealed today that he left Andy Webster on the 
substitutes’ bench against 
Kilmarnock because he did not want to change the defence which helped record consecutive wins over Dundee United and Livingston.

Although Webster had 
recovered from back and hip problems, McGlynn kept 
Darren Barr and Marius Zaliukas as his central defensive pairing on Saturday as Cillian Sheridan’s hat-trick secured a 3-1 win for Kilmarnock.

The manager said he felt obliged to show faith in those who had contributed to Hearts’ successive victories over United
and Livingston, hence the 
decision to leave Webster out.

“It was purely down to the fact that, in the last two games, the players have played exceptionally well and got two good victories. Simple as that,” McGlynn told the Evening News. “The 
defenders did well in those games and it wouldn’t have been fair to leave anyone out. Andy was fit. I explained my decision to him before the game and we will assess things now.”

McGlynn admitted that Hearts had conceded some “soft” goals. He would, however, not be drawn on whether 
Webster will be reinstated to the team for Sunday’s visit to Celtic Park. “We’ll just need to wait and see how that one goes,” he said.

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