Tony calls on star to build on first season

MICHAEL STEWART has signed a new deal with the Hibs - but faces a tough fight to win a place in Tony Mowbray's side, the Easter Road boss revealed today.

The midfield star has committed himself to another season in Leith with Mowbray challenging him to build on an impressive first year in a green and white jersey, beginning tomorrow when the squad report back for pre-season training.

After appearing to have lost his way, the 25-year-old played 30 matches for Hibs after his shock move across the Capital from Hearts and now Mowbray believes Easter Road fans have yet to see the best of the former Manchester United ace.

He said: "Michael had missed a lot of football and we tried to give him as many games as we could to get him up to speed, to get him back in the groove.

"This coming season will be a big one for him, he knows he has to impress and yet when everyone is fit he knows there will be strong competition to get into our midfield.

"He is relishing that challenge and looking forward to it. He thinks he has a lot more to come and if that is the case we will look forward to seeing it.

"He was good at times last season and at other times you could see he had not played a lot of football. Now I am looking forward to seeing if he can push on and find a consistency of performance level to cement a place in the side."

Meanwhile, Mowbray agreed with Celtic boss Gordon Strachan that it would be best for all parties if Hibs striker Derek Riordan completed his move to Parkhead before the season begins.

The Scotland hitman has signed a pre-contract deal with Celtic and will move on January 18, two days after his 24th birthday. But he faces the prospect of two months in limbo as his contract with Hibs expires at the end of October, leaving him unable to play until the January transfer window opens.

Strachan has expressed his hope that won't turn out to be the case and today Mowbray said: "I would be of a similar view, that it would be beneficial if something was agreed.

"My main concern would be for the player, to make sure he does not get stuck in limbo for nearly three months. But at the same time there is a valuation and a worth on the remaining part of his contract and I am pretty sure a club of Celtic's stature will do the right thing by the player and try to make something happen."

Mowbray revealed that the search for a player to replace Riordan was already well underway saying: "We have made inquiries and we will be trying to bring someone in who can add some goals to our team."

However, he ruled out the prospect of Linfield striker Peter Thompson being on his list if a fee of £200,000 was being placed on his head and the chances of Hearts misfit Chris Hackett moving to Hibs also look bleak.

Reacting to a report linking him to Easter Road, Mowbray said: "To say we are actively chasing the player is inaccurate."

Taken from the Scotsman