Hearts captain Michael Stewart has launched a vehement attack on the media after claiming his comments on Hibernian were "manipulated" in a bid to stir up Saturday's Edinburgh derby. Stewart had been speaking at an event alongside Hibs skipper Chris Hogg to promote the fact both teams will wear strips commemorating the war dead during the Clydesdale Bank Scottish Premier League clash at Tynecastle.
"We went along to promote a fantastically worthy cause with Armistice Weekend coming up and all the papers have done is spin everything round into a pile of **** which I never said," Stewart told Hearts News.
"By doing it they are trying to undermine our position and boost Hibs as much as possible.
"I wouldn't be happy if we were sitting second in the league and somebody was having a go saying we were lucky.
"People will read the headlines and say it is sour grapes. It is not sour grapes as I never said it.
"I was asked a million times if I was surprised that Hibs were sitting second. I said 'no I'm not'.
"I said they were doing extremely well to keep their run going and that when they had a slice of luck during the season, they have capitalised on it whereas whenever we have had luck, we have not capitalised on it."
Stewart will no longer co-operate with the written press.
"They are complete parasites," he said. "They tried to manipulate, twist and put a spin on everything that has been said.
"They have shown a complete lack of respect in my opinion.
"Last week I only spoke to the broadcast media after the win over Celtic as, clearly, when you talk to the TV or radio, your words are heard and seen and they cannot be twisted or manipulated.
"Somehow, and I don't know how, the newspapers managed to twist my words from Wednesday night to say that the supporters are stupid. Those words never came out of my mouth at any single point.
"I don't specifically read who's writing what but when you come up for your breakfast before training and there are papers sitting there it's hard to ignore the horrific and stupid headlines.
"It's now got to the stage where they have really p***** me off and I'm not having it any more.
"I won't be speaking to the papers again as they cannot be trusted and clearly will do what they want to suit their agendas."
