Webster, 26, has moved to Ashton Gate on a six-month deal following long-term injuries to Robins defenders Christian Ribeiro and Jamie McCombe.

"We needed competition at centre-half and Andy is a rabbit out of the hat, that's for sure," City boss Gary Johnson told the club's official website. "To get somebody of Andy's experience, given the amount of games he played for Hearts and internationally for Scotland, is fantastic.

"He has seen our rising status and it is a move that works for all parties. He needs games and we feel he is fit enough."

Webster, capped 22 times by his country, began his career at Arbroath in 1999 making his debut aged just 17. A £75,000 deal took the defender to Hearts two years later where he made 149 appearances for the Edinburgh club.

Webster made football transfer history in 2006 when he cancelled his contract at Hearts, using a FIFA loophole to move to Wigan. But six months later Rangers took him back to Scotland in a loan deal that was made permanent this summer.