Determination And Belief Has Finally Paid Off For Dundee Star Stewart

[JoeCovenant]

There are few more determined footballers in the Ladbrokes Premiership than Dundee front man Greg Stewart.

There are players who are snapped up by Premier clubs at a young age and make their way into their first teams via their youth set-ups, being well looked after along the way.

However, Greg isn’t one of them.

Talk about triumph over adversity.

The 25-year-old from Stirling thought his football dreams would come true when he became a part of the Rangers Academy.

However, those dreams crashed when he was released at the age of 13.

Then Hearts came along but, when it came to the time to be offered a full-time contract, the Jambos said no and Greg was on his way again.

He trained with Falkirk and Stirling Albion before joining amateur team Syngenta.

But, five years ago, he signed for Cowdenbeath and his professional career got under way.

However, the path to Scotland’s top league still did not run too smoothly.

Four seasons of hard graft with the Central Park club were required, playing at lower league grounds in front of several hundred before Dundee boss Paul Hartley turned up to take Greg to Dens Park.

Since then, he has been making up for lost time.

And, having finally made it to the top division, Greg is determined to keep working hard in order to ensure his stay in the top league is a very long one.

The rain and sleet which came down in Perth on Friday night didn’t stop him from turning in an eye-catching performance.

As early as the second minute, he linked well with Rory Loy to turn the St Johnstone defence before feeding Kane Hemmings to shoot home Dundee’s goal.

The horrendous conditions didn’t dampen his enthusiasm on the night and nothing will dampen his enthusiasm to make a success of his career.

“It took me a while to get to where I am but I am enjoying my time at Dundee,†Greg said after drying himself off following the rain-sodden McDiarmid Park show against
St Johnstone that ended 1-1.

“There have been times when things haven’t gone well for me but I’m always trying to do things right.

“There is talent in the lower leagues. It isn’t just me that has shown that.

“Kane Hemmings also played at Cowdenbeath and Rory Loy was with Falkirk. Now they are both with me in at Dundee and doing well.

“Hard work, determination and belief have been key elements of me getting to Dundee and staying here.

“So far it’s paid off. I’ve had help on the way of course.

“Jimmy Nicholl was great to me at Cowdenbeath.

“He signed me, played me in the first team and that set me on the road to Dundee.

“I was four seasons at Central Park and I learned a lot under Jimmy.

“Then Paul Hartley came along and signed me for Dundee.

“Playing under him has taken me more steps forward and I have a lot of time for Paul.

“He’s given me a chance to prove myself in the top league. I’m playing regularly and I’m enjoying myself.

“I had setbacks early in my career and I’m not the only one.

“However, I have proved players can make it.

“I know the attributes which have brought me to where I am will continue to stand me in good stead.â€

Another fine performer for the Dark Blues in Perth was Kevin Holt, plucked from Championship outfit QOS.

It just goes to show players from the lower leagues can shine at the top — determination will help get them there.

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[Gedee]

Like most of us here, since Greg Stewart arrival at DFC , I have had the greatest like & respect for this man.

There again, what is there not to like ? And in the article above, I have learned even more of his background.

The fact he uses my favourite phrase .... "Belief & Determination"  endears him even more to me. Of course,

he has proved, it is not just the case of idle words.His own skills are obvious, but even lesser players should

take note, of what can be achieved by, Focus, Belief, Determination ..... In life in general, in your career, and

in that 90 minutes on the park !!   (irregardless of the quality of the opposition)  My own feelings on this have

never changed ... Hard work of course will not win every game, but I find it difficult/impossible, to forgive, or even

accept a player, or team, with obvious proven skills, losing a game, when it appears the hard graft ethic appears

to be lacking. But I never criticise, or feel let down, by a player who skills are not so apparent, but in each game,

he shows belief, determination and gives 100%. (Guess I'm slightly going off topic here)

However well done to Greg Stewart for showing the determination "to keep at it"   (And we don't have to go that far

back to see another player, blessed with speed & skills, whose attitude appeared to be the exact opposite. Let us

give PH  a bit of credit for his ability to see this.  Not everyhing works for PH. 

But he seems to be able to spot the kind of player, that can do the business.

(Maybe PH also has this belief & determination. Maybe jist plain stubborn)