SO..YOU WANT A JOB IN: FOOTBALL - BRAVE HEART; Scotland star Andy Webster on top of the world after seeing all his dreams come true.

Byline: By GRAEME LENNOX

TOP of the league and on top of his game... Andy Webster reckons he's got the best job in the world.

The 23-year-old Hearts defender has been at the centre of the Edinburgh club's bid to smash the Old Firm's domination of football.

He played against Italy in yesterday's World Cup match at Hampden and is looking forward to his best-ever season.

But Hearts' resurgence is down to more than just the 11 men on the pitch. They employ more than 200 on a match day and have 50 full and part-time staff. All of them are backing new owner Vladimir Romanov's revolution at the club.

Here, Jobsplus! looks at four people whose work has put new heart into Hearts.

Since joining from Second Division Arbroath for pounds 75,000 four years ago, Andy Webster has forged a reputation as an outstanding centre back.

He has already played for Scotland against Germany and Italy and says: "You want to test yourself against the best. That's what international football is all about." Andy started out as asix-year-old in a local boys team run by his dad.

He had stints at Dundee and Brechin before joining Arbroath at 15. But his career could have turned out very differently if he had followed his passion for another sport.

He said: "I played cricket as a youngster and probably enjoyed it more than football because all my mates were into it. I even had trials at Durham County Cricket Club.

"It got to the stage where I had to make a decision. I signed schoolboy forms for Arbroath, played a few games in the first team and football took over."

His debut against Stirling Albion in the cup is a day he will never forget. He said: "It went to extra time and we were beaten on penalties. I was in and out of the team for the following months. But John Brownlie came in and gave me a run of 10 or 12 games which got me noticed."

Despite competition from Charlton Athletic and Dundee United, in March 2001, Craig Levein won the race for his signature and Andy came to Tynecastle on a five-year contract.

"It was a big step coming from the second division," he explains "but in football you've got to take these opportunities if you want to succeed.

"When I signed Craig Levein told me if I was good enough I'll be in the team. That was a big thing for me because Dundee United's plans were to ease me in gently. wanted to go straight in at the deep end. That's where you learn the most.

"Suddenly, I was in the dressing room with all these people I'd seen on TV such as Elvis, Antii Niemi and Colin Cameron. I was pinching myself."

Andy played an important part in Hearts finishing third in the league.

His tough tackling and intelligent play soon attracted international recognition and he was called to the Scottish team under Berti Vogts.

Andy said: "I made my full debut in April. My agent phoned me and said: 'You're in the squad'. thought he meant the under-21s. It's the sort of thing you dream of when you're a boy."

Despite his meteoric rise, Andy is well aware many hopefuls don't make the grade. He said: "It's not easy to make it in football. There were 20 in the youth team at Arbroath when I was there and maybe two have made it full-time.

"When I was at Arbroath stayed on and finished sixth year at school and applied to do sports science at Aberdeen University but deferred entry.

"I thought I'd give football a go because you only get one chance.

"If it had petered out I would have been off to uni but within nine months I was on my way to Hearts. It was the easiest decision I've ever had to make.

"I would always encourage people to give sport a go and if the worst comes to the worst you'll be a bit older when you get your degree.

"If you get an opportunity, grasp it with both hands

CAPTION(S):

Owner Romanov; My Heartland: Andy Webster

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Publication:	Sunday Mail (Glasgow, Scotland)
Date:	Sep 4, 2005
Words:	697
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