Andy Webster on his return

[Boab 73]

Andy Webster hopes his crucial role in a successful season with Dundee Utd will help to earn him a place back among Walter Smith's first team plans.

The defender sealed a loan move to Tannadice in the summer with a view to getting the kind of regular action that has eluded him over the past few seasons.

And it has worked a treat as he has become captain of the Tayside club and a mainstay in a team chasing third spot in the SPL and the Scottish Cup trophy.

Webster refuses to get carried away with how things have gone for him personally, but admits his ambitions beyond this season lie back in Glasgow.

He said: "Obviously it depends on circumstances but my ambition would be to get back to Rangers and just have an opportunity to play.

"That was the plan from the outset, to go to Dundee Utd for the season and to play.

"First and foremost the aim was to play well this season and then to look at going back to Rangers having played some first team football.

"When I spoke to the manager he said that it would probably be best for everyone concerned if I went to Dundee Utd.

"I had worked with Craig Levein before so I had an understanding of him and he had the same with me because we had worked together before.

"The manager has said all along that it would be good for me to go and get some games and get back to the level I was at."

There is no question that Webster is getting to that level again having been a key factor in United's sustained battle for a European place this year.

That has benefitted United and Webster immediately and the hope is that it can benefit the Light Blues in the long term too.

"When you set out to do anything like this that is the ideal scenario," said Webster.

"Having realised that you don't always get what you want in football I haven't taken any of it for granted.

"I've just been concentrating on doing as well as I possibly can for Utd and obviously for myself from the point of view of getting back in to the swing of things.

"Hopefully the knock on effect of those two things is that the same is true for Rangers so I hope that it benefits everybody in the long term."

Webster would be a welcome addition to the Light Blues squad in a position that has been covered by just three players who play the role naturally.

The emergence of Danny Wilson has provided Walter Smith with a fine deputy for Madjid Bougherra and David Weir.

But with Weir approaching his 40th birthday in May it is as yet unclear if he will continue for a further season or hang up his boots in the summer.

If Weir was to opt for the latter, Webster would be the natural replacement for the Gers captain.

But in the 27-year-old's eyes that's not what he would be doing if he gets the chance he craves at Ibrox.

Webster said: "It's the nature of the beast in football that when someone isn't playing someone else is getting an opportunity.

"But I wouldn't be looking to fill anyone's shoes. That isn't my job. My job is to establish myself rather than replace anyone.

"Rangers have some top quality centre backs along with Davie. Boughie and Danny are there as well so I wouldn't feel I was there to replace anyone.

"I just want the same opportunity as everyone else to play and showcase my talents rather than worry about what someone else has done before.''

Could be like a new signing, I'd like to see him in pre-season for sure.

http://www.rangers.co.uk/articles/20100331/opportunity-knocks_2254024_2011200

[hutchy14 4]

I think he will walk into the team next season. He will be a good partnership with bougherra if he stays.

[sandyboyblue 230]

What a great position we will be in when he comes back, the compotition for places can only be good if all stay.

[PrsosPonytail 174]

I think he will walk into the team next season. He will be a good partnership with bougherra if he stays.

Can't see boogie staying to be honest. Especially if he has a good world cup.

Need a new centre half to play alongside webster cos, as good as wilson is, he won't be a first choice for smith next year.

[Stu1993 101]

Would atleast like him to get a run out for us to see if he can handle it, he seems to be doing good for Utd so dont see why he cant do the same for us.

[sturtyboy81 0]

Good news this for Rangers having Webster back in contention next season. Should be in Walter's starting eleven at the start of next season. Plus another good defender for Danny Wilson to learn of aswell.

[docspiderman 1,315]

Rejected as not good enough at Wigan, found out in the championship.Cumbersome,slow,poor passer of the ball, liable to give away lots of free kicks in vital areas; not inspiring for me.

[bluedogg 0]

Good luck to him but i don't see him as good enough for Rangers, i suppose in todays climate almost anyone could play for us and not look out of place.

[WilliamFyfe 1,438]

Looking forward to see if he comes good or what

[radlord 24]

He's a seriously average defender. If it's him and Wilson at the back next season we might be in trouble. If Bougherra goes we must being someone else in.

[disgruntled_bear 157]

Having a look at him during pre-season wont do any harm, if it doesn't work out we'll just get rid of him.

[Ozblue 4,332]

He certainly has had his troubles the last few years.From when he went to Wigan in 2006 he had only played 10 games until he went on loan to Dundee Utd.It will be interesting to see if he will be good enough for him to stay at Ibrox.

[Boab 73]

Apr 11 2010 Anthony Haggerty, Sunday Mail

Rangers boss Walter Smith reckons having Andy Webster back at Ibrox next season will be like welcoming a new signing.

The defender has been a revelation since joining Dundee United on a season-long loan and has even been named captain by Arabs boss Peter Houston.

But Smith - who hasn't been able to splash out on any new arrivals for the last two years due to a financial crisis at Ibrox - reckons Rangers will reap the benefits next term.

The Gers gaffer believes he will land a player who has rekindled his love for football after three years in the wilderness.

Webster was a Scotland regular before a bitter contract dispute with Hearts and unsuccessful move to Wigan stalled his career.

The 27-year-old came back to the SPL with Rangers three years ago but injuries then took a heavy toll, limiting him to just one top-team appearance at Ibrox.

However, he is now back in form thanks to the Tannadice loan deal and Smith can't wait to welcome him back.

The gaffer said: "The reason for loaning out Andy was to get him a year of football.

"He has done exceptionally well. For a loan player to be captain of United shows what they think of him.

"When Andy comes back next season he will be a more than welcome addition to our squad.

"The dispute with Hearts and injuries caused him to have few games over three years.

"So it was important he got himself regular football.

"It has been a huge benefit to him and hopefully it will be a huge benefit to us when he returns."

Many view Webster as one of Smith's signings - but it was actually predecessor Paul Le Guen who snapped him up.

Walter said: "It is a popular misconception that I brought Andy to the club. I never signed him - he was here before me.

"I thought he was a good player but the Webster ruling had a detrimental effect on his career. Other players must be careful if they are going to use that.

"But Andy is enjoying football again and I hope he can show his Tannadice form at Ibrox.

"He comes back to Murray Park quite a bit and you can see his confidence is back.

"When he was fit he got into my team and scored against Gretna. Unfortunately he got injured again straight away.

"I played him when I was Scotland manager but then he had the dispute with Hearts."

Webster won't be able to play under the terms of his loan when Gers head to Tannadice on Wednesday. And the Ibrox men could seal the title there for the second year running if Celtic lose against Motherwell on Tuesday.

Smith isn't fussed where his players finally lift the SPL trophy - he just wants it over and done with as soon as possible.

The Ibrox boss said: "We are in a great position and just need two more wins to be sure. But United will be tough."

Smith refused to be drawn on suggestions Webster could even scoop Player of the Year ahead of Ibrox stars like Steven Davis, David Weir, Kris Boyd, Allan McGregor and Lee McCulloch.

He said: "We have some excellent players at Rangers and sometimes that gets lost. They've done well all season.

"As for Webster being a candidate? I'm not the one who chooses these things."

http://www.<No links to this website>/football/spl/rangers/2010/04/11/returning-andy-webster-will-finally-be-like-a-new-signing-says-rangers-boss-walter-smith-86908-22178216/

[Chef 436]

the guys away on loan to get much needed fittness back into his game and i will welcome him in the squad, first pick or back-up as his displays for united merit it

[bluenose andy 1]

Think he'll be a good squad player

[papaguy51 941]

Sounds like he's being lined up to replace Weir or Bougherra.

[KingKirk 26,532]

Yip he will be a good squad player, but I still think we will need cover as he still gets injured alot, but its good to see him back playing.

[Mikhailichenko 90]

He's just scored for Utd.

[KERRZO 5]

Was MOTM according to SSN

[TravelingWilBEARy 4,319]

take a look at him over pre-season, no harm in that