Michael Stewart stunned by 'incredible' penalty decision against Hearts as Hibs summer transfer work pays off

Michael Stewart has been left perplexed as to why Hearts were not awarded a penalty against Aberdeen - as he reacted to a positive weekend for Hibs.

Both sides of Edinburgh were on Premiership duty following the international break, with David Gray’s Hibees up first on Saturday. They swept aside Dundee in an impressive performance to maintain a grip on third spot ahead of Tuesday night’s game with Motherwell.

Hearts face the Steelmen at Fir Park on Saturday and will look to bounce back from a 1-0 loss at Aberdeen. Ex-Hearts and Hibs midfielder Stewart has been assessing the game with former Rangers and Scotland right-back Alan Hutton via Premier Sports, left stunned by the Jambos not being handed a second half penalty. Dons goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov clattered into striker Pierre Landry Kabore inside the home box but nothing was given, to Stewart’s bemusement.

Should Hearts have had a penalty against Aberdeen?

There are are arguments against such a call but Stewart isn’t buying it. He said: “Hearts had more than enough chances to win this game. This, for me, is incredible and I don't care what anybody says. The ball's still in play, and I've heard people talking about, well, the keeper's up trying to catch the ball. He's already in the air.

“He can't stop. You could equate that to any challenge on the park in terms of, oh well, he was trying to challenge for the ball, but he follows through and, you know, smashed into the player. That's irrelevant. The point is here, goalkeepers get away with things that no other player does. He is nowhere near the ball, and he wipes out Kabore . That is a penalty kick for me.”

Hutton added: “Oh, totally. I'm with you. I think that there's no need. Mikey is right. He's nowhere near the ball and it's foul. Goalkeepers do get protected but in that case I think he is a very lucky man.”

What is key to Hibs form surge?

Talking Hibs, Stewart reckons Gray and co are reaping the rewards of a solid summer transfer window. He added: “Even when Hibs were dropping points, you could see the fundamentals were there. That goal, you can actually see Kieran Bowie's elevation, the puff of the cheeks, it was a huge weight off his shoulder and it's a really good finish.

“Great first touch, and a neat finish. He needed it but that man on the ball there, Nicky Cadden, he's coming back to the fore, and he adds a different dynamic to Hibs. You look at the additions that Hibs have made.

“Salinger, good goalkeeper, Hanley, Barlaser, McGrath, Mulligan, Klidje. You know, these are good signings for Hibs. Chaiwa as well is another one. They've strengthened. They could easily be sitting second but there's no point in, you know, getting upset over spilt milk.”