Pundit Michael Stewart has issued a stark warning to Hibs following their 2-2 draw at home against Dundee, emphasizing the urgent need for defensive improvements if the team is to succeed this season.

Despite taking a 2-1 lead with goals from Martin Boyle and Kieron Bowie after falling behind early, Hibs conceded an equalizer in the 88th minute from Simon Murray, which has raised concerns about their defensive stability. The Edinburgh side has now accumulated just one point from their opening three league games and has already conceded seven goals, the highest in the league except for bottom-placed Kilmarnock.

On Sportscene, Stewart criticized Hibs’ defensive lapses: “This is a real danger for Hibs. Defensively there were problems last season. They need to shore things up.” He continued, “It’s a catalogue of errors. Cadden should do better when he slides in. O’Hora has got to do better when he tried to make the block. I mean it’s problems all over. The recurring theme from last season was defensively they were not good enough.”

Stewart acknowledged the club’s efforts to address these issues by signing Marvin Ekpiteta and Warren O’Hora, but stressed the importance of these new additions making an immediate impact. “They have got to come in and stamp their authority. If they don’t manage to do that, for all the good that is going to happen in front of them with the better signings they are bringing in, they are still going to be fighting an uphill battle.”

Despite the defensive concerns, Stewart believes Hibs are making positive strides: “They have got to lay a stronger foundation to build on. Having said all that, I do think football decisions are being made by football people at Hibs again. Things are progressing, even though the results are not picking up just yet.”