Stewart played as a wing half for junior club Shettleston, then went senior with Dundee and Airdrie in the 1950s and 1960s.
During the next season, he was recruited by St Johnstone to replace Willie Ormond, who had gone on to manage Scotland.
St Johnstone struggled badly in the first season (1975–76) of the Premier Division under Stewart, and he left the club in February 1976.
[3] He held that position until May 1978, when he resigned in protest at the club reducing his coaching staff.
[4] After finishing with the game, he went into the motor trade although he still did some scouting work for English clubs.