He then won promotion to the top flight of English football in his first season at John Toshack's Swansea City.
Stewart saved a penalty in his one appearance for the Scotland national football team, a 1–0 defeat in East Germany in 1977.
The Kilsyth club were winners of the Scottish Junior Cup in 1967; They beat Rutherglen Glencairn 3–1 in a replayed final after initially drawing 1–1 at Hampden Park before 22,000 fans.
MacLeod had joined the year before and turned the previously modest Somerset Park club into a much respected side.
In 1969 Ayr were promoted as runners-up to Motherwell to the top tier of the then two division Scottish Football League set up.
He left in October 1973 with his time at Somerset Park overlapping that season with Alex Ferguson on the playing staff.
[4][2][3][5][6] Aged 26, he was signed for a £30,000 fee by Don Revie's Leeds United as a replacement for Gary Sprake and as understudy to David Harvey.
Despite Stewart being described by Leeds "as a brave and terrific shot-stopper" and as having made "inspirational saves" in the European run, Harvey became first choice on returning to fitness.
[8] John O'Hare then of Derby County scored for Scotland and later joined Stewart at Leeds United when Brian Clough was manager.
[9] Stewart received one full cap when selected by his ex-Ayr manager, Ally MacLeod to play against East Germany on 7 September 1977.