Stewart suited to Hibs' style

TONY Mowbray, the Hibernian manager, yesterday delivered a thinly-veiled swipe at the style of play employed by city rivals Hearts last season as he completed the signing of midfielder Michael Stewart on a one-year contract.

The 24-year-old Scotland international, who failed to impress when he spent last season on loan at Tynecastle from Manchester United, was a free agent after being released by the Old Trafford club this summer. According to Mowbray, his newest recruit will flourish at Easter Road as part of what he perceives as a more cultured approach to the game.

"He [Stewart] is a midfield player who can dictate the pace of the game with his passing ability," said Mowbray. "At Hibernian, we play a style of football that I am sure will suit his game. I have long admired Michael, having watched him as a young boy at Manchester United reserves. I am confident we can provide Michael with the platform to achieve his full potential and be the player we know he can be."

Stewart has seen his career stall badly since he made the most recent of his three senior appearances for Scotland against South Africa three years ago, a premature beneficiary of such status under former international manager Berti Vogts' scatter-gun approach to handing out caps.

Prior to joining Hearts last season, Stewart had similar loan periods with Royal Antwerp in Belgium and Nottingham Forest in the English Championship. The Edinburgh-born player made just 14 first-team appearances for United in his seven years on the Old Trafford books and is relishing the challenge of helping Hibs build on their successful first season under Mowbray.

"Tony Mowbray is a manager who is clearly going places," said Stewart. "I am delighted to have been offered this opportunity."

Taken from the Scotsman