Cup-winner Andy Webster returns to stable Ibrox ready to prove himself

AS ANDY Webster modelled a new strip at the start of what he hopes will be a new beginning for him at Rangers, he was nonetheless delighted to note that at least one thing is remaining unchanged at the Ibrox club.

• Rangers and Celtic launched their new kits yesterday, as modelled by Andy Webster and Scott Brown. Rangers invited fans to suggest designs, resulting in a trip back to the Bill Struth era of the 20s to the 50s. Celtic introduce a white and black collar. Pictures: SNS

Walter Smith's decision to stay on as manager of the SPL champions for another year, before handing over to his assistant Ally McCoist, was welcomed enthusiastically by Webster yesterday as he seeks to finally prove himself as a Rangers player.

With his successful season on loan at Dundee United behind him, the Scotland defender is thrilled to have the opportunity to perform at his best for a manager who has only been able to use him once since he joined the club three-and-a-half years ago.

Webster also believes Smith's commitment to another season in charge, supported by a fresh agreement with the club's bankers which will allow him to strengthen the squad, is the best possible outcome for Rangers.

"You probably can't place an importance on having a manager of that stature in place at the football club and how much it means to everyone," said Webster.

"From the club's point of view and from the players' point of view that stability he brings to the football club is essential because he's seen and done it all. I can't describe how much it means.

"Of all the speculation over the future of certain individuals at the club, that's the important one. The club definitely needed that stability and it's great for everyone involved.

"Under normal circumstances at a football club you'd have the opportunity to bring in players on a regular basis. The manager hasn't had that chance so from his point of view he'll probably feel as if he's won the lottery with funds being available and having the chance to freshen things up a little bit and look to improve."

Beset by injury problems since joining the club in January 2007, initially on loan just a few days before Smith returned to replace Paul Le Guen as manager, Webster made his thus far solitary senior appearance for them when he scored in a 4-0 SPL defeat of Gretna at Ibrox in September that year.

"I've got a better scoring ratio for the club than Kris Boyd," smiled the 28-year-old yesterday. Amidst the humour and a clear sense of restored self- confidence following his Scottish Cup winning year at Tannadice, however, is a realisation he has a significant challenge ahead of him next season.

"Of course I feel I've still got a lot to prove to the manager," added Webster. "I've never really had an opportunity to play through one reason or another but hopefully this season coming will be different and I can get a chance the same as everyone else and take it from there.

"I've worked with the manager previously at international level and also coming to Ibrox, although injuries haven't helped me at Rangers. Last season was good for me and probably served its purpose.

"To get a regular run of games was obviously a massive benefit to me and probably proved a few things to a few people. When people are labelled injury-prone it's frustrating because nobody wants to be injured.

"Everyone wants to get up in the morning and feel all right and be able to train and play in every game, but these things happen. Nobody wants to be stuck in a physio's room anywhere doing rehab. I think generally, not just from a personal point of view, it's an unfair tag to label anyone. It's gone now. I played a lot of games last season but who knows what's round the corner? You just look after yourself to the best of your ability and take it as it comes.

"I'm looking forward to next season. What's happened in the past will be part of me, part of my career, my history and my life. You deal with it and get on with it.

"I want to break the vicious cycle I was in here – being injured, getting back, not getting an opportunity. It all has a knock-on effect, so to break away from that mould, that kind of rut I was stuck in, was a good thing.

"It was a new lease of life, a change of scenery and a freshness at United. I've never really doubted my ability but getting that opportunity to perform in the last couple of years has been the difficult part so last season was good for me.

"I'm the same as everyone else, we all want to play. In the season just past, I'm sure people will have stood up and taken notice of what I'm capable of.

"I just want to get a good pre-season under my belt and worry about it when the season starts. I've never got to a stage where I look too far ahead. People ask if I set myself a target of games but I haven't.

"But I'm in a better position now than I have previously at any stage since I signed for Rangers and I just hope to get the opportunity and when it comes around make sure I enjoy it because it's a great club to be at and I'm looking forward to it. There is a Champions League campaign coming up and that's where every player wants to test himself. I'm no different."