Webster eyes Gers return

[Frankie 8,186]

Interesting quotes....

 

http://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/10/03/10/SOCCER_Rangers_Webster.html&TEAMHD=soccer

 

Rangers manager Walter Smith has backed Andy Webster to play a significant role at Ibrox when he returns from his loan spell at Dundee United.

 

Webster last week won his 23rd Scotland cap - following a four-year international exile - after shaking off a series of injury problems to return to form during his season-long stint at Tannadice.

 

The 27-year-old made just 11 first-team appearances in the three seasons which followed his pioneering move from Hearts to Wigan in 2006, when he used new FIFA rules to leave Tynecastle a year before his contract expired.

 

Only one of those displays came after moving on to Rangers, but he has now made 23 appearances for United.

 

Although Webster's loan agreement will deprive him of the chance to add to that tally when the Tayside club visit Ibrox in the Active Nation Scottish Cup quarter-finals on Sunday, Smith has seen enough to know he can help Rangers next term.

 

And with David Weir turning 40 in May, there may be a vacancy in central defence.

 

"I have been impressed by Andy," Smith told Rangers News. "He has been captain at Dundee United and, as someone who is on loan, that's a real accolade for him.

 

"It's a reflection of how the people up there view him and the reason I let him go elsewhere was because he was going through a terrible injury period here.

 

"He wasn't settling down but I'm hoping the confidence he gets from going out on loan and playing can kick-start his career when he comes back to us next season."

 

Smith, who is working without a contract as the club push on with takeover talks with a consortium headed by London-based estate agent Andrew Ellis, added: "I'm not sure of what future any of us will have here but I think putting him out to United has worked well for him.

 

"He had a hard period here where, due to contractual situations and his transfer from Hearts to Wigan, he stalled a bit.

 

"He had a terrific start to his career but it hit the skids when that happened to him and he was unfortunate when he came here and played just once in two-and-a-half years.

 

"If my memory serves me correctly, he scored in that one against Gretna but injuries limited him a lot. I think he's over that now.

 

"I certainly hope he is and I like to think he can come back with the confidence he had three or four years ago."

[Rangers Football Club 0]

BOSS says Andy can become major player for Gers at last next season

 

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[ian1964 10,457]

Good to hear that,I do hope he comes back fit&full of confidence as I reckon he could still do a job for us,although I admit I haven't seen much of him whilst playing for DUTD

[calscot 0]

With our lack of budget, he could be a good option next season.

[Dr Preston Burke 0]

I still don't believe he's anywhere near good enough for us

[nokiss 0]

I still don't believe he's anywhere near good enough for us

 

Couple of mates at work are ST holders at Tannadice, they say he's been outstanding and will be gutted when he returns to Ibrox. I watched him against the Jambos at the weekend and he strolled through the game. I think Craig Burley gave him MOTM.

 

If he's doing a great job for them, i see no reason why he can't do the same for us.

[calscot 0]

I think we all want better players but with the current money situation at Rangers and in Scotland generally, we have to be savvy and go for the best at the level we can afford.

 

Webster is already contracted to us and will comfortably within the wage structure. If he's playing really well for the 3rd placed team and also a Scottish internationalist, it won't do us any favours to discount him too quickly.

 

If Bougherra goes then I'd hope we'd spend say half the money on a replacement but we also need more cover in central defence and if we also keep Weir, then I think it would be good to have Wilson (if he stays) and Webster at the club.

[metlika 0]

I hope he does come back and play well, otherwise it would have been a waste. I did rate before all the nonsense with Hearts, not sure what he would bring if all the defenders stayed on. But it could be him and Weir next season ...

[Super_Ally 0]

A fit and on form Webster will do for me.

[Gribz 743]

A fit and on form Webster will do for me.

 

Agreed, he has always played well at his other clubs, he just hasnt had any luck at all at Ibrox. Id be very happy with a Bougherra and Webster partnership assuming Bougherra can be persuaded to stay.