At the weekend a number of Sunday newspapers ran with the story about Michael Stewart signing for Hibs. Rumours had been circulating around Edinburgh for weeks, but it was just, well a rumour. Now, it seems not a question of if, but when. In the Sunday Herald, Turn over a new Leith, Stewart was quoted as saying: “I feel I gave Hearts everything and more they could have asked of me. They were able to sign me for nothing, and while I can understand I again missed a fair chunk of the season through niggling injuries, I think I showed enough in the big games I played to merit more of an opportunity than I was given. However, that’s all behind me now – I’m just looking forward to working with a manager who believes in the game I want to play.”

Whilst his signing hasn’t actually been announced yet, those comments will certainly help endear him to Hibs fans. I’m not so sure that Hearts fans [himself excepted] will feel so happy. Stewart is a bit of an enigma. Nearly 6ft tall, 24 year old, midfielder, 3 Scotland caps: that description would fit a former Hibs player recently departed. Ian Murray was more versatile, but there’s a bigger difference. Whilst Murray had played nigh on 150 first games, Stewart hasn’t yet played 50. Mowbray hasn’t made a duff signing yet, and if he can unlock the player’s obvious potential Hibs will be on a winner.

So what else of Hearts in the news? Well, there was the hilarious new strip launch. “What the beautiful people will be wearing this summer”. Oh really. Beautiful People. Comedy at its best.

That might have won the funny Hearts story of the week, but oh no, the same PR firm must be handling their season tickets too. What other possible excuse could there be for this little effort: I'll have you for this Butler! Is Gary McKay saying “I’ll have you for this Butler!” Or perhaps cheese is the new cool, and I’ve completely missed the subtle coolness. Maybe not.

Hearts new shirt sponsor is some Lithuanian Bank which is linked to Vlad the Impaler. Even they made it into the papers at the weekend. The Scotsman reports: “Vladimir Romanov's plans to invest in Heart of Midlothian Football club have been undermined by a shock report on the financial standing of Ukio Bank, which he is using to bankroll his ambitions. Ukio, in which Romanov is a major shareholder, has "very modest" financial strength, offers "questionable-to-poor credit quality" and may need to be propped up by another institution, according to Moody's, the credit rating agency.” Which all suggests to me that Vlad is well on his way to becoming the most unpopular Lithuanian in Edinburgh since Antanas Gecas.

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