Michael Stewart names Hibs transfer factor that's improved team as he spots huge Hearts contract boost

Michael Stewart reckons Hibs have improved massively this season - and Hearts showed their strength even in a poor display.

The former midfielder has been reviewing a 3-2 Premiership win for the Easter Road side against the Jambos in Leith, thanks to goals from Jamie McGrath, Josh Campbell and Kieron Bowie. Hearts launched a late fightback through Lawrence Shankland and Cammy Devlin strikes as they remain top of the league, while Hibs sit fifth after a big boost to their European football ambitions.

While there have been criticisms of the side that finished third last season, Stewart reckons summer recruitment has been in part a reason why he feels Hibs have improved overall this term. He believes derby day has set the scene for a strong second half of the season in Leith.

Michael Stewart on Hibs 3-2 Hearts

He said to Premier Sports: “I've said this god knows how many times in terms of when you look at Hibs, the squad, the team, the recruitment in the summer. I think they've improved immeasurably but the results are not as good as they were last season coupled with the fact that obviously their closest rivals are sitting top of the table. It inevitably adds to a feeling of frustration and despondency but they looked extremely hungry. The big thing for them as well is goals at great times and that alters the feeling and it adds an extra yard of pace to the whole team.

“I thought they were outstanding, they thoroughly deserved to win the game. Obviously got a wee bit nervous for Hibs right at the end. I do genuinely believe that they are capable of beating anybody in the division and they've got to take confidence and belief from that result there because we've spoken about it umpteen times in the big games. Some of the performances have been okay but they've not been able to come up with the results whereas they got both on Saturday and for the talent and the strength and depth that they've got, the second half of the season should be positive for Hibs.”

There is one nagging negative in left-wing-back Nicky Cadden’s calf injury, adding: “It is a concern. I know he's had a couple of games out again recently but I felt like the last month, six weeks, you've started to see him just having a bit more of an impact. He's never really been able to get five or six games on the spin and build up that. It's the sort of thing that when you get muscle injuries like that, it's no great surprise that there's a recurrence. One thing breaks down then the next thing breaks down, It's disappointing and moving forward for Hibs that is a real concern because he is unquestionably a player that takes Hibs to a different level irrespective of whether you're going to replace him with Jordan Obita or Jamie McGrath.”

What Hearts player has signed a new contract?

For Hearts, Stewart reckons one of the biggest derby week positives can be found in defender Craig Halkett’s new contract. The defender has put injury issues behind him to become a key player at the back and has agreed fresh terms until 2028.

Stewart said: “Are there positives for Hearts to take out of it? Yes, in that they were so poor, but there was still an anticipation and a feeling that they were 3-0 down but they could get something out of the game. I think goes to show you where this side are this season and where they are at the moment.

“We're talking about Nicky Cadden and the frustration that's there. Craig Halkett’s had that. I think he's only missed one game with injury, just before the derby with a little bit of a fluid in his knee. He missed the Aberdeen game through suspension and he's played pretty much every other game. It’s probably the best run of games he's had in the last three or four years maybe. So it's great to see and it’s a huge positive for him to be signing a new deal. It's a huge positive that he's been fit because he's a top defender.”