STEW CAN BE A STORMER

New Jambo backed by old pal Cole;

HEARTS .............0 FULHAM ...........2

Gordon Waddell At Tynecastle

FORMER England idol Andy Cole last tipped Michael Stewart to take the SPL by storm with Hearts.

The Manchester United midfielder received a rapturous welcome on his second-half Jambos debut against the Premiership big guns.

And goal king Cole - who scored the Londoners' second in his first start for the club - insists his former Old Trafford team-mate has the class to turn heads when he's let off the leash.

Stewart, who came on two minutes after the break and with Hearts behind to Zat Knight's fourth-minute opener, had an instant impact in the middle of the park.

Cole said: 'That's what Michael can do for you - he knits together your whole side.

'We were together at Manchester United and I was always impressed by him. He had hunger, desire.

'But it's tough at Old Trafford, especially in the middle of the park - you just need to look at the fact the manager has just let someone as good as Nicky Butt go.

'It's unfortunate for Michael things didn't work out, either there or at Nottingham Forest on loan, but this is his home town and I have no doubt he'll do well.'

Jambos boss Craig Levein opted not to pitch his loan star straight in, choosing to give him a big entrance two minutes after the interval.

Stewart instantly looked the part - although his first touch was a foul.

But reputations aside, the combative stuff isn't what he's all about - he has poise, can pass and even in the first few minutes you could sense this loan move may well be the best thing to happen for him AND Hearts in the season ahead.

Stewart grinned: 'I was delighted with the reception and I know I'm capable of getting the fans to taketo me. I hit a brick wall after 20 minutes though!

'Seriously, I'm a wee bit behind the others in sharpness, not because I haven't played a competitive match since December but just because I haven't had the pre-season games.

'Everyone loses his fitness over the summer and I'm probably just starting off from where they were a few weeks ago. Nothing a couple of hard weeks won't cure though.

'I'd like to play in the under-21s in midweek if the manager lets me.

'But it was nice to feel wanted again. I had family and a few mates here and it felt good.'

Stewart's debut was obviously a big plus for Levein - but the game wasn't without its downside for the gaffer.

That came in the form of first-half casualties Jamie McAllister and Mark De Vries who limped off nursing their hamstrings with the Dutchman in particular swinging his arms around in anger and frustration at aggravating a problem that has bothered him constantly.

Levein admitted: 'Neither is too serious but they both may still miss the opener against Dundee.

'Other than that we saw some decent passing but in the last third we could see where our problems lie. We still have time to work on that understanding though.'

Hearts weren't helped when they gifted Fulham the lead in four minute. Teenager Christophe Berra's loose ball led to a corner and from Claus Jensen's cross Knight rose above everyone at the back post to bury a header past Craig Gordon.

Not that Hearts were overawed by a team who lost to both halves of the Old Firm last week.

And debut boy Ramon Pereira in particular came close to levelling. He was denied a stonewaller when barged over by Ian Pearce and forced an incredible postage-stamp stop from Mark Crossley with a superb shot.

And only the linesman's flag denied him when he headed home Robbie Nielson's free kick.

But as the subs tally rose - we had a mind-numbing 14 in total - the game stalled.

Hearts dominated the ball for long spells when Stewart came on but Fulham still looked like they had a gear to go up.

And Cole found it with an outstanding finish 14 minutes from time, taking Tomas Radzinski's ball and PASSING it low past sub keeper Tepi Moilanen with the inside of his right foot.

Hearts had the chance of a consolation in the final minute when Graeme Weir earned a spot kick but Steven Pressley's effort was saved by Edwin van der Sar.

However, Fulham boss Chris Coleman said: 'I was impressed with Hearts - they were well organised and having played Rangers and Celtic I wouldn't be surprised to see them give both a scare this season.

'They dominated us for spells. I was happy with the result and a lot

TEAMLINES

HEARTS: Gordon (Moilanen S46), Maybury, Pressley, Berra (Stewart S47), McAllister (Neilson S28), Stamp (Janczyk S78), Hartley, Kisnorbo, Hammill (Simmons S78), De Vries (Weir S37), Pereira, (Wyness S72). Subs not used: MacFarlane, Sloan.

FULHAM: Crossley (Van der Sar S46), Volz (Rosenior S85), Legwinski (Pembridge S85), Knight, Bonnissel (Green S46), Rehman, Pearce, Jensen (Radzinski S46), Pratley (McKinlay S67), Cole (Bocanegra S78), John. Subs not used: Goma, Leacock, McBride.

REF: J Rowbotham.

Taken from the Sunday Mail