How a height-based rejection shaped a professional football career
In short: After being released from the Hearts youth system because of his height, Greg Stewart had to rebuild his path to the top. From training with clubs like Falkirk to winning championships in India, his journey demonstrates the unpredictable nature of professional sports and the resilience required to succeed.
Born on 17 March 1990, Greg Stewart's early career was marked by a significant setback when he was released by Hearts' youth system due to his height. Following this, he spent nearly a year training with Falkirk and Stirling Albion before joining Syngenta Amateurs in 2007. His professional ascent began in July 2010 with Cowdenbeath, where he finished his debut season as the club's top scorer with nine goals. He had previously been part of the Rangers' Academy until age 13. His professional journey officially commenced when he signed for Cowdenbeath in 2010.
Stewart's talent eventually led him to Dundee, where he was nominated for the PFA Scotland Players' Player of the Year award for two consecutive seasons. His performances earned him a move to Birmingham City in August 2016 for a fee reported by the Dundee Evening Telegraph to be an initial £500,000, with potential increases exceeding £1 million. During his time in England, he made 21 league appearances, though he did not score in those matches. He later moved to Aberdeen on loan during the 2017–18 season. This was followed by a loan spell at Kilmarnock in 2018.
A significant chapter of his career unfolded in the Indian Super League. After joining Jamshedpur in September 2021, he recorded ten goals and ten assists, earning the 2021–22 ISL Hero of the League title. His success continued with Mohun Bagan, where he helped the club win the ISL League Shield in March 2025 and the Indian Super League final in April 2025. Following his retirement in 2026, Stewart transitioned into coaching, serving as assistant manager for Cove Rangers. He also played for Mumbai City before moving to Mohun Bagan. After retiring, he returned to Cove Rangers as an assistant manager.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Greg Stewart (footballer)
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