Michael Stewart labels Hearts summer transfer star 'outstanding' as Neil Lennon accuses Hibs of derby failing
Hearts’ win over Hibs have been assessed by the pundits.
Michael Stewart says Josh McPake has proven himself a top class summer addition for Hearts - capped off by derby heroism against Hibs.
The winger was brought to Tynecastle on a pre-contract from Championship winners St Johnstone ahead of this season. His Edinburgh derby debut came with an assist for James Wilson’s opener and wonderful solo run which ended in him scoring the winner during Hearts’ 3-1 success at Easter Road.
It continues his fine start to the season that has sparked talk of whether Scotland could come calling in this month’s international break. He has netted two goals with four assists from just eight outings so far as the winger shines under head coach Wouter Vrancken. Former Hearts midfielder Michael Stewart was on commentary duties during Premier Sports’ coverage of the Edinburgh derby and feels McPake has brought a different edge to the Jambos forward line. He believes the former Rangers talent summed up his form through local rivalry delight.
What did Michael Stewart say about Hearts star vs Hibs?
Stewart said: “Ever since he's been given the opportunity with Hearts, he has been outstanding. It may well take a deflection in the end, but I tell you what, take nothing away from McPake. He dances past two, three, sets himself up perfectly. Hits it in the far corner.
“That is top class from Josh McPake. It really is. He has brought a different dynamic to this Hearts side. We'll get a good view of it here. He probably would have been pretty close to where that ball ends up with his initial strike.”
Former Hibs boss Neil Lennon was one of the pundits during the broadcast and lamented his ex-team managed by David Gray and their passive start to the game where they were down 2-0 at half-time thanks to Wilson and Laurent Mendy efforts. Adam Mayor pulled one back before Jack Iredale’s costly red card and McPake’s winner. The Dunfermline Athletic gaffer said: “Hearts were far better first half, dominated, Hibs got a great response.
Neil Lennon on Hibs 1-3 Hearts
“Everything that David would have wanted. They get the early goal, then in the ascendancy, and the game changed, the momentum changed again on the sending off. That's it in a nutshell. That's the game. Bit of brilliance from McPake, but although it is brilliant, I have to question the defending as well. It was very passive. I think overall you have to say Hearts were the deserved winners.
“You can't start derbies like that. They were passive, they were on the back foot. Mendy and Blair Spittal were picking up all of the lose balls. They were getting plenty of wide positions, Josh McPake and Calvin Miller. Wilson and Claudio Braga were a handful. It was way too comfortable. The goals were coming. People will say he got the team wrong, fine. But his changes were the right ones and Hibs started to dominate. They got the goal and it was all Josh Mulligan. It was all Miguel Chaiwa. It was all Mayor.”
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