Andy Webster hails unity as fans and team bid to save Hearts

ANDY Webster has expressed his complete confidence Hearts will survive their current financial troubles after witnessing the unity of purpose among his fellow players and the club’s support in tackling the crisis.

The 30-year-old defender says he genuinely feared Hearts could go out of business when they initially announced the difficulties in meeting their obligations to HMRC almost three weeks ago.

But Webster feels a unanimous decision by the Hearts playing staff to buy shares in the club and then donate them back to the Hearts Youth Development Committee has typified the determination of everyone involved to ensure they step back from the brink of fiscal oblivion. The players have also agreed to wage deferrals while talks continue over the possibility of a supporter-led buyout of club owner Vladimir Romanov.

“It was an easy decision to make,” said Webster. “When they explained the circumstances the club is in, you wanted to try and help any way you can. We have done that from a players’ point of view and the fans have definitely rallied round. That has been great to see and it shows you just how big a club we are.

“It was a real prospect that the St Mirren game last week could have been our last. A lot of the boys have bought shares and handed them back to the club so from that point of view we realised how serious the circumstances are.

“We just wanted to help out in any small way. Everyone bought shares at the club and handed them back to HYDC. The players are just desperate to help in any way they can. With all that’s been happening I haven’t spoken to anyone at the top of the club for maybe a couple of weeks. They’re doing all they can down at Tynecastle to resolve the situation that we’re in.

“If and when new information arises, then they communicate it to the players, but right