Stewart asks Hearts fans to go easy on him after Hibs transfer

MICHAEL Stewart hopes Hearts supporters will understand his reasons for joining rivals Hibernian, insisting Easter Road is an environment where he can flourish.

The former Manchester United midfielder completed his shock move across the capital yesterday after putting pen to paper on a 12-month contract, the first player to make the direct switch since Brian Hamilton in 1995.

The signing by Hibs manager Tony Mowbray is all the more surprising given the fact Stewart grew up as a dyed-in-the-wool Hearts fan and has never hidden where his allegiance lies.

The maroon half of Edinburgh will get their chance to vent any anger at the 24-year-old on 7 August when Hearts host the first derby of the season.

However, Stewart, who was not offered fresh terms at the Tynecastle club, hopes fans can appreciate that he joined Hibs because he believes Mowbray can inspire him to realise his full potential.

He said: "I think if anyone was in a similar situation to myself, they would make the same decision.

"The fact is that I need to get started first and foremost. There is a manager here that I feel is going to give me the opportunity and has got a bit of faith in what I can do.

"Of course there is the derby the second game of the season but I'm concentrating on getting over to Ireland first and getting some pre-season games in. That's what I missed last year, I didn't manage to get any pre-season games so I'm really looking forward to that."

Stewart sounded out his former Hearts team-mate Paul Hartley, a former Hibs player, over his move to Hibs and the possible pitfalls that lie ahead.

The enormity of the switch by the Scotland international is also magnified by the fact he lives in the city centre.

He added: "I spoke to Paul previously about the situation but he just said that you need to concentrate on your football and do well and that it will take care of itself.

"A lot of the people that have made the switch didn't live in the city so there is an extra thing on my shoulder."

The Edinburgh-born player returned north of the border last summer to join boyhood heroes Hearts on loan after admitting defeat in his bid to make the breakthrough at Old Trafford.

A lack of fitness when he arrived coupled with a long-term groin injury meant he made just five starts last term for the Gorgie club, but he now believes he can kick-start his career at Hibs.

He added: "As far as I'm concerned there is a management team in place here that is moving things forward and I'm happy to be part of that. I had to be selfish and make a decision for myself. When I met the manager and Mark Venus [assistant manger] I was so impressed with what their thoughts on football were that I knew deep down that this was the right decision to make.

"Over the last couple of years the decisions and the places that I've gone, in hindsight, have not been the right places for my football career."

Meanwhile, Hibs manager Mowbray believes Stewart's experience will prove invaluable as they prepare for European and league football.

He added: "Michael is a player that I saw a lot of when he was at Manchester United.

"Whilst the existing players here did really well last year, there were times when I felt we could have done with a little bit more composure in certain areas of the field.

"I see that as one of Michael's qualities really; when to pick a pass, when to slow the game down, when to play the ball, when to put your foot on it."

Hibs fly out to Ireland today for a tour of the country, where they will face Cork City tomorrow, St Patrick's Athletic on Tuesday and Shamrock Rovers on Wednesday.

Taken from the Scotsman