THE white-hot heat of Wembley can be too intense for some players - but Andy Webster appears to be asbestos coated.

 

He must be. He has just jumped out of the frying pan and into the fire with his decision to swap life at troubled Hearts for Coventry, a club in even more turmoil.

However, Webster insists it really is Sky Blue thinking which has brought him down this road.

So if Gordon Strachan - himself a former manager at the nomadic Midlands club - calls on the 31-year-old to collect his 29th cap in tomorrow's game against England, the Scotland boss at least knows it will not be something which fazes the former Rangers, Wigan, Dundee United and Arboath man.

Webster's decision to join up again with former Tynecastle and Scotland team-mate Steven Pressley - now in charge of League One side Coventry as they fight for their very existence while domiciled 34 miles from the city at Northampton's Sixfields Stadium - is all the more surprising, given that he had offers to move to clubs as far apart as Australia and South Africa.

But he has taken family into consideration as he has launched into the next phase of his career, and is delighted Strachan has kept faith with him, even though he was listed as 'unattached' when the squad for this game was announced.

Getting the chance to repay the manager's faith in him against England is something Webster would relish. The black eye he is sporting - the result of an opponent's flying elbow during his debut for Coventry in their 5-4 win against Bristol City on Sunday - is confirmation he is already up and running.

When he hears the suggestion he has jumped from perilous situation to another, he is assured in his response.

"Some might say that, but as a player you concentrate on the football side of it," he said.

"Such are the circumstances at Coventry, that's the situation they are in at the minute.

"But hopefully they can resolve their issues and move forward."

And upwards, because no-one at the club which has been battling against liquidation wants their stay in League One to be prolonged.

However, handicapped by a 10-point penalty for going into administration, avoiding another relegation is the first priority.

Webster believes he can retain international status while operating in England's third tier.

Pressley's presence was an important factor in his move, and Webster said: "It was not just the football side of it, but also from my family side of it I had to take that into consideration.

"It was important they were going to be settled and happy.

"I could maybe have gone to other places and found they did not like it.

"I had options to go abroad, Australia, South Africa and Europe as well. But when you strip it all back and decide what is best not just for myself but for my family, it was Coventry which came out as the best choice."

He is relieved the decision has finally been made.

"Once the season starts, you want to get playing again," said the man who had reached the end of his contract at Hearts and initially looked like extending his second spell there.

"At the end of last season, I spoke to the manager at Hearts. But the way the situation was at the club they didn't really know what was what.

"I wasn't overly sure either, and over the summer circumstances dictated it would not have been option to stay there."

Ironically, electing to move to League One at least means Webster's competitive season is under way, something many in both camps tomorrow night can't claim as the English Premier League does not kick off until this weekend.

Some managers would prefer their players not be risked in a friendly, but Webster argues this match is different from the norm.

"The term friendly does not really apply," he explained.

"When you get the opportunity to represent your country, everyone wants to go out there and do well."

As Scotland did in their last game, away to the Croatia, when they shocked the football world by recording their first victory in this World Cup qualification campaign.

In Webster's analytical mind, that win simply underlined no-one can predict what is going to happen, and that includes tomorrow's game.

He said: "Earlier in the campaign, you look at the games and think we should have been winning.

"Then no-one gave us a hope against Croatia, and the boys did exceptionally well with a great team performance which fully justified the victory.

"That's the joy of international football, trying to find consistency, which takes longer than it does at club level. You want to build momentum as that breeds confidence.

"Tomorrow is now another opportunity for the boys to go out and do well. It would be a massive achievement.

"The qualifiers next month are more important because it can get us back on track and help to build that momentum you need.

"The circumstances we find ourselves in at the minute, with qualification for the finals gone, you are just looking to do well in every game we have left. We were disappointed early in the campaign and as a group we are looking to rectify that.

"It would help move us up the rankings, but that is in the background.

"The boys want to win games. Sometimes, circumstances dictate you don't get that opportunity, but you are always playing for something."

Tomorrow, it is national pride as Scotland meet England for the first time since 1999.

Now officially an Anglo again, Webster does not want to return to his new club without the bragging rights.

He knows, however, that despite Roy Hodgson being without some of his top stars, England will be a tough nut to crack.

"Regardless of what team they put out, individually they are going to be exceptionally talented," is his assessment.

"And everyone wants to win. That's why it's a good opportunity for everyone, a great test, and a wonderful way to start the season."