ANDY Webster was the pioneering footballer made a pariah for taking charge of his own career.

The former Scotland defender became the first professional footballer in the world to walk away from a contract before it ended. It opened the door for others while slamming one shut on himself.

In 2006, with a year left on his Hearts deal, Webster invoked what was a recent loophole introduced by FIFA, as the transfer market was brought into line with EU law.

Webster agreed a deal with Wigan Athletic, it couldn’t be with an another Scottish club under the rule, which didn’t go down well with Hearts owner Vladimir Romanov.

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Because he was the first to go down this path, Webster and his agent didn’t get everything right and it eventually cost the player £150,000.

Long story short, he believed Hearts had been given enough time, 15 days notice, back then, but confusion reigned and FIFA found he had broken his contract “without just cause.”

It was a mess and it meant Webster being dropped for the Scottish Cup final that season against Gretna.

Webster recalled: “I sat in the front of the stand watching the game that day! They were difficult times but I had made my decision.

“But if I had been involved in 2006, would I have been involved in the 2012 final, which was arguably the mist important one the club experiences – and of course even final is important. I was fortunate enough to be play in the game we beat Hibs, but was unfortunately not in 2006.

“Ultimately, it’s a winner’s medal I missed out on, which would have been great with me. You have to deal with the situation you find yourself in and move forward.

“Circumstances dictated what happen. As much as that was hugely disappointing for me, I did get the opportunity to play in the English Premiership after that.

“I missed out on a medal but had I not then my path may have been different, I might not have done what I did later on. It’s all hypothetical.”

Webster’s story has been forgotten - not by him - and while that wasn’t an easy time then, it has a happy ending.

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He found his back at Hearts and in 2012, six years after a forced watching brief, he wore the maroon jersey on the Hampden pitch as Hibernian were thrashed 5-1 in the final.

Oh, and two years before that, he won the cup with Dundee United as captain

Webster said: “When I had that disappointment in 2006, you then appreciate things a lot more.

“To get the opportunity to go out on loan at Dundee United, and be able to captain a team that wins the Scottish Cup for the second time in the club’s history, was fantastic when you think back to the quality of United teams that played in Europe and won league titles.

“If 2006 hadn’t happened and I hadn’t gone own the career path I did, I might never have been at Dundee United.”

And then came the salt and sauce final, a game this Jambo just knew his side would make history in.

He said: “That final in 2012, I had a feeling going into it that we would win. If we performed at any level I thought we’d beat Hibs. It’s probably the only time I thought ‘we’ll win today’.

“Sometimes you aren’t really sure. As a defender you are maybe a bit more pessimistic and er on the side of caution.

“But I felt if we performed to any level we’d win. But to get to 5-1 was beyond anybody’s wildest dreams or expectations. It was great for the fans.”

Hearts are back in Mount Florida on Saturday on semi-final duty, another game they should win if they find their best level.

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Inverness Caledonian Thistle stand in the way of a final. Surely the top six Premier League team will beat an inconsistent Championship outfit.

Webster said: “You have to manage expectations. When Hearts play on Saturday, anyone who’s anyone will expect them to win.

“Inverness will be going about their business quietly thinking ‘if we can maybe get the first goal, get a foothold in the game, we can build ourselves into it’.

“You can argue for both sides. There’s not as much pressure on Inverness so they have an opportunity to maybe be a bit more free flowing. The expectation levels on Hearts will be high as people will expect them to get to a cup final.”

Andy Webster was speaking at a William Hill media event. William Hill is a proud sponsor of the Scottish Cup