Michael has the desire to win over most ardent Hibbies

FORMER Hibs and Hearts star Brian Hamilton today insisted Michael Stewart's willingness to quit Tynecastle for Easter Road underlines the midfield ace's belief in his ability.

Hamilton was the last player to make a direct move across the city, stunning Hibs fans by signing for the Jam Tarts ten years ago.

And while he knows those self-same supporters will eye Stewart's proposed switch from maroon to green and white with suspicion, he believes the 24-year-old has what it takes to win them over.

Having seen his career at Manchester United stall, a move to Rangers fail to materialise, and with a less-than-convincing season in Gorgie behind him, Hamilton feels Stewart is the perfect fit for Tony Mowbray's squad - a young, talented player with a point to prove.

Hamilton said: "It would be a chance for him to make his mark and perhaps win a longer-term contract than the one-year deal which is apparently on offer. There's no doubt Michael is a good player and it would be an ideal opportunity for him to see his career progress. He's still got a way to go before he will be hitting his peak years but he is an experienced player having been at two or three clubs now."

Hamilton, now a football development officer with East Renfrewshire Council although he hopes to break into coaching at a senior level, believes Stewart, pictured below right, will recognise that his career has stalled somewhat and that he may be at something of a crossroads.

He said: "If I was a coach or manager of a side I'd want to get a player of the right type and credentials but someone who felt he had a point to prove.

"Michael will still feel he can make that step-up and prove what a good player he is."

The fact Stewart, a self-confessed Hearts fan, is considering such a controversial move underlines his determination to do so particularly as he lives in Edinburgh, according to Hamilton.

He said: "It will take a bit of bottle to make such a move but that shows he has self-belief in his own ability, without doubt. He'll find himself under more pressure than the other players.

"If he doesn't perform he'll be the first person certain fans will point the finger at. But Michael will be more than aware of that.

"As for him being a Hearts fan, well the story was that John Robertson was brought up a Hibs supporter and he went on to become a legend at Tynecastle.

"A lot of fans won't understand that as a professional football player you have to go where you are wanted.

"Tony Mowbray obviously rates him as a player and he wants him to be a part of things at Easter Road. By all accounts Mowbray has his players playing for him, you cannot under-estimate the importance of confidence in football, it's a big, big thing."

While some fans may have some misgivings, Hamilton believes Stewart would be made as welcome in the Easter Road dressing-room as he was when he moved to Tynecastle.

He said: "Of course there will be a bit of banter among the players. I've been in a few dressing-rooms and in every one the lads tried their best to get on. You have to be professional in your job and if you can play, as Michael certainly can, then you'll get the respect of your team-mates. When I went to Hearts the guys in the dressing-room were brilliant towards me, they all made me feel very welcome and I am sure Michael would settle in just as well at Easter Road."

The fact Hamilton lived in the west of Scotland made his decision to join Hearts that little bit easier knowing he wouldn't have to confront angry or bemused supporters on the streets of Edinburgh as Stewart would have to do if he became a Hibee. He said: "To be honest, my preference would have been to stay with Hibs but we'd hit a stalemate in negotiating a new contract.

"I felt I was playing the best football of my career at that stage. In my last game for Hibs we beat Dundee United 4-0 and the club was sitting second in the league when I left, while Hearts were going through one of those turbulent spells.

"I have to admit I was a bit taken aback when Tommy McLean [the then Hearts manager] came in for me. He had a good reputation and when someone like him is interested you have to take notice.

"I scored on my debut against Motherwell which didn't do me any harm and I have to say I feel fortunate to be able to say I played for both Edinburgh clubs.

"I felt disappointed in how my Hibs career came to an end but with the benefit of hindsight I would definitely do the same thing again."

If he does become a Hibs player, Stewart will face the daunting prospect of returning to Tynecastle in the second game of the new season when he'll probably find those fans who gave him such a rapturous welcome only a year ago won't be so happy to see him again.

But Hamilton believes he'll be able to handle such a situation. He said: "Quite a few players have moved from Hibs to Hearts and vice-versa but not so many have made the direct switch, Darren Jackson had a spell at Celtic in between while Paul Hartley was at St Johnstone.

"When I moved I was a bit wary away from the park. Both Hibs and Hearts have ardent fans and I didn't want to find myself in any awkward situations. But living in the west made it easier for me.

"People in the west don't understand there is the same rivalry between the Edinburgh clubs and those of the Old Firm. Michael will find that a lot of Hearts fans will never forgive him if he does move while some Hibs supporters will be suspicious of him.

"But a lot of football fans will judge a player purely on his footballing ability, not whether he happened to have played for Hibs or Hearts in the past.

"And what an opportunity Michael would have with the first derby so close to the start of the season. I'm sure if he plays for Hibs he'd be trying 100 per cent to win the game and if he were to score he'd have no worries about winning over the Easter Road support although the Hearts fans wouldn't be so happy."

Taken from the Scotsman