Michael Stewart slams Hibs as he claims legends Hanlon and Stevenson’s families have to PAY for farewell tribute

Michael Stewart has slammed Hibs chief executive Ben Kensell and accused him of disrespecting departing club legends Paul Hanlon and Lewis Stevenson by making their families PAY for hospitality for their emotional Easter Road farewell match.

Pundit Stewart, who spent two years as a player at Hibs alongside the duo, hit out in an Instagram video message and claimed Hanlon and Stevenson were being charged “hundreds of pounds” for the privilege of their nearest and dearest watching the Scottish Premiership game against Motherwell in style.

Ex Norwich City chief Kensell has come under fire for the club’s performance after they finished in the bottom six of the top flight and bulleted boss Nick Montgomery. And he’s been accused of a classless act when it comes to the pair who have a combined first team service of 35 YEARS. Stewart said: “Paul Hanlon and Lewis Stevenson’s final home game for Hibs. These are two guys who have given their whole careers to the club. And whether you think they have been brilliant, average or poor players is irrelevant – they deserve to be given a great deal of respect.

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“And do you think it’s respectful for the club – ie the chief executive – to give a table to the families for the final game so they can come and see their dads, husbands, sons going and getting their final game at Easter Road? Do you think it’s respectful to expect those families to pay hundreds of pounds in the hospitality suite?

“Do you not think it would be a pretty respectful gesture to give a table to the families? I certainly do and it’s poor practice to be expecting them to be paying out their own pocket to go along