Stewart completes move to Turkish outfit

MIDFIELDER Michael Stewart has completed his lucrative move from Hearts to Genclerbirligi after signing an initial one-year deal with the Turkish Super Lig side.

The Scotland cap was unveiled to the media in Ankara yesterday alongside fellow new recruit Mehmet Akgun from Dutch outfit Willem II and club chairman Ilhan Cavcav. The 29-year-old playmaker, who has the option to extend his contract by two years, joins Billy Mehmet at Genclerbirligi after the striker quit St Mirren for a lucrative move abroad.

Speaking of his move, Stewart said: “Signing for Genclerbirligi brings a new excitement and news things to accomplish. They are a very professional club.”

The writing was on the wall for Stewart’s career at Tynecastle when he was axed as club captain by manager Jim Jefferies for the fourth last game of the season against Motherwell. The Edinburgh-born player was privately furious with Jefferies’ decision and didn’t play in the club’s three remaining games of the season.

Genclerbirligi finished tenth in the Turkish top flight last season, 28 points behind champions Bursaspor.

Meanwhile, Hibs manager John Hughes has warned the club’s supporters to remain realistic this summer – but is still confident he can “pull a rabbit from the hat” to make signings to rival those of Anthony Stokes and Liam Miller last year.

Hughes said: “I’ve always pulled a rabbit out of a hat, wherever I’ve been. Right through from keepers Tim Krul and Kasper Schmeichel at Falkirk to Miller and Stokesy here. That’s the kind of quality I’m looking to bring to the club. But I’ll say this to the Hibs fans, ‘You have to be realistic, it’s a business that we run and everything has to be done within the business’.”