Hearts midfielder Michael Stewart believes the wintry conditions contributed to an under-par performance from him and his team-mates, in Wednesday's defeat at Motherwell. Stewart said: "To be perfectly honest, it wasn't a game of football on Wednesday night. The conditions weren't conducive to trying to play any football.

"It was maybe a great advert as to why we shouldn't be playing football in this country at this time of the year.

"It was a horrible, cold, dark Wednesday night in January at Fir Park, it's not the most inspiring place to be.

"It then descended into a kick and run game and it's not a great advert for football.

"Unfortunately we didn't stand up to the battle that was needed and Motherwell took the three points.

"But if you look at the summer months, there's a lot better football played, due to the fact that the conditions are a wee bit more conducive to it."