Stewart insists CIS Cup destiny rests 'in our own hands'

COMPARED to the wheels of destructive turbulence turning across the capital at Tynecastle, there's a mood of even-keeled professionalism in place at Easter Road. It's a ground where, quaintly, managers still manage, coaches coach and players play without interference. This old school modus operandi could yet lay the foundation for Hibernian in 2007 to match Hearts' accomplishments of last season by winning a cup and challenging for second place in the SPL.

After removing their city rivals from the CIS Insurance Cup with consummate ease on Wednesday evening - it would be hard to think of a more one-sided 1-0 derby victory in recent years - Hibs now face an outstanding opportunity to lift their first piece of silverware since beating Dunfermline in the same competition in 1991 if they can overcome First Division St Johnstone in the semi-final and go on to defeat either Kilmarnock or Falkirk in the final.

According to midfielder Michael Stewart, the destiny of the trophy rests very much in Hibs' own hands.

Bearing in mind how Hibs came up short in similarly advantageous circumstances against Livingston at Hampden in the CIS Cup final two-and-a-half years ago, however, it was no surprise yesterday to hear the eloquent Stewart also argue that in order to establish themselves as players of achievement rather than promise, the current squad at Easter Road must first discard the tag of 'potential' stapled to so many first-team jerseys.

"The perception a lot of people have about this club is that we have potentially a lot of good players," observed the former Hearts and Manchester United player. "Maybe it's only when people start talking differently that it will change. The guys are 21 and 22 years old, which in footballing terms, is not ridiculously young. They're coming to the start of the next chapters in their careers and should be looking to move forward and achieve things.

"It goes without saying that when the Old Firm are knocked out of competitions that expectation levels at the clubs which are left are raised to the level of believing they can win the trophy. That's not a bad thing. Here, we've got nothing to fear. We can see the big prize at the end and it's up to us to focus on that.

"Regardless of which side we'd been drawn against in the semis and regardless of who we meet in the final - provided we get the right result - I really think it's in our own hands. If we perform the way we should do then it looks as if we could have a favourable result at the end of it."

As far as progress in the SPL is concerned, Stewart has been disappointed by Hibs' lack of consistency in the first half of the season, but doesn't think the Easter Road club are alone in following good performances with bad. Although they're a lowly eighth in the table, Hibs are only five points behind Hearts in second place. "If we look around the league, it's not as if we're cast adrift from anyone [apart from leaders Celtic]," he added. "A lot of teams have suffered from inconsistency this season and I'm sure, like us, they're thinking if only they can string a few wins together then we can pull away from the pack. It's a big incentive. Only Celtic have shown any consistency.

"Whether we will have a chance of challenging for second place is difficult to say. The season so far would suggest 'no, we won't'. But if you look at the ability and the talent we have in the team, then that quality would suggest it is a possibility. But we have to build our form by concentrating on one game at a time and aim to piece together a couple of months of sustained results.

"We can look back at games and think if only we'd got a draw there or picked up three points here then we would be ten points ahead of the rest. But there's no point in dwelling on what might-have-beens. We need to concentrate on Saturday's match and take the three points from that game. Hopefully, if we do, that will set us off on a run."

Stewart, who jarred his ankle and knee against Hearts and was replaced after 14 minutes by Guillaume Beuzelin, expects to be fit to face Inverness tomorrow, although he's only too well aware the Frenchman staked a convincing claim to start the match alongside Scott Brown and Kevin Thomson in midfield after such a fine display against Hearts.

One of four Hibs players included by Walter Smith in the Scotland B squad to play the Republic of Ireland next week - "a massive boost for me" - Stewart admitted to experiencing a moment or two of anxiety when he couldn't run off the injury on Wednesday. "But maybe I did the right thing in coming off quickly," he added. "It's still tender but not as bad as I first feared. Fingers crossed, I should be OK. The club have a lot of strong players and there's no point in me worrying about someone else coming in and playing well."

While Hibs are spoiled for choice in some positions, cover is thinner in other areas. Chris Killen, for example, has contributed seven goals in the league, with no other forward coming close to that total. When they field their strongest team, as they did against Hearts, Hibs are a match for any side. If key men are missing it's a different story and may explain why Hibs are yet to win consecutive SPL games this season.

As far as the CIS Cup is concerned, it shouldn't be forgotten that Hibs have already lost to both Falkirk and Kilmarnock in the league. Steering clear of injuries and avoiding suspensions - John Collins and Tommy Craig will ensure the players' feet remain on the ground - may yet have as big a say in determining the club's prospects as the fluency and determination of the best group of Scottish midfield players in the country.

Whatever the future holds for Edinburgh's clubs, Hearts look as if a year of incessant upheaval has finally caught up with them while Hibs are moving forward from a base of stability.
CAPITAL GAINS AND PAINS

HEARTS may be second in the Scottish Premierleague, and Hibs only eighth, but these positions mask vastly conflicting fortunes for the clubs in recent week.

While the arrival of John Collins has created a feelgood factor at Easter Road, the Tynecastle club appear to be immersed in turmoil.

The transition from Tony Mowbray to Collins has, so far, proved seamless, and the display Hibs produced against Hearts on Wednesday was an excellent advert for the former Scotland midfielder's intentions of playing entertaining, passing football.

Hearts, on the other hand, have placed their head coach Valdas Ivanauskas on "indefinite" sick leave, while stand-in Eduard Malofeev is clearly struggling to communicate with his confidence-sapped squad. At Easter Road this week, Hearts looked disjointed, and the fighting spirit that is usually evident from mainstays of the team, such as Steven Pressley and Paul Hartley, had vanished.

Contrast off the pitch too. While Hibs announced "rock solid" accounts and a profit of £2.2million for the year ending 31 July, the extent of Hearts' debt - now taken on by owner Vladimir Romanov, can only be guessed at and is a source of deep concern among Tynecastle fans.

Taken from the Scotsman