Boss will get us out of Stew

Aug 3 2008 By Gordon Waddell

MICHAEL STEWART reckons Hearts' first day under Csaba Laszlo was like walking from a darkened room into blinding sunlight.

And he already believes in the boss enough to know that when he asks for the extra mile from his players he'll get it, no questions asked.

That, Stewart believes, is the hallmark of true leadership whether it's in the boardroom or bootroom.

The 27-year-old playmaker said: "There's still a millionmiles to go but the appointment of the right manager was so vital for the club.

"We've brought in a guy who has a lot to say, who knows what he's talking about, who's clear and concise in terms of what he wants - it's enlightening for the players.

"It's like any place of work - if there's not a clear message or direction from within, if someone's not leading, it can become disjointed.

"That's no slight on those who have gone before, it's just what happened and it seems to have been rectified.

"You can have someone standing at he top of the room shouting, 'You need to to put more more effort in, more this, more that'.

"But if you don't believe in what they're saying you physically won't be able to do it because your mind won't be on the job and won't let you.

"Whereas when you work with someone you believe in, who you understand what they want, and they say 'The chips are down, we need to up it', you WANT to do it for them. Physically you find a way. It's the sign of good management, being able to create a place where people want to better themselves.

"Every journey starts with a single step and we're taking tentative steps, putting foundations in place."

Stewart had his foundations and expectations laid down for him back in 2002 when the then Manchester United prospect donned a Scotland shirt under Berti Vogts.

But in six seasons every time he starts building, something scuppers the grand design.

Last season was the classic example - a flying start sawcaps mentioned in October. Come May?

Still no shout. But he's philosophical that if it can come late for contemporaries like Paul Hartley and Barry Robson it can come for him.

He said: "Maybe when you're young and get a taste you want it all quickly. I'm at the stage now that if it happens, it happens. I want to play well for Hearts and if that's all I get then I'll still be content.

"While I'm not saying I don't want things, I'm a lot more comfortable in myself. I know who and what I am.

"If Scotland happens then great.

I'm hopeful it does.

"If it doesn't? I won't put so much pressure on myself trying to get a call-up that I end up disappointed."

Still, playing alongside the likes of Laryea Kingston in the Jambos engine room shouldn't do him any harm.

Stewart insisted: "For big stretches of last season the players we had in midfield were as good as any club in Scotland. Look at Rangers, they've lost Barry Ferguson and suddenly they're struggling.

"We have numbers and flexibility.

We've also got Bruno Aguiar coming back from a year out.

"But we have to supplement the rest of the team. If we can merge everything together we can challenge.

"A 20-goal striker would be nice.

We lost Andrius Velicka last year and it had a big impact. Had he stayed we'd probably have been in the top six."