[15] He moved to third-level Partick Thistle,[16] and in his single season in Glasgow helped the club achieve promotion as champions.
He was released by the Jags in summer 2001[17] and rejoined Airdrie, where the club were still in a dire financial situation but nevertheless had managed to maintain their second-tier status and win another Scottish Challenge Cup.
After Stewart returned the results improved further, finishing runners-up in the league and winning the 2001 Scottish Challenge Cup Final to retain the trophy.
[19] Following the demise of Airdrieonians, in summer 2002 a consortium led by Jim Ballantyne purchased the assets of third-tier Clydebank and took their place in the league under the new name Airdrie United.
In his first season in charge, he successfully consolidated the club's position in the division, and the following year they were promoted as champions,[24] while also reaching the 2003 Scottish Challenge Cup Final - Stewart played the entire match.
[33] Stewart opted to follow Coyle to Lancashire on 27 November 2007,[34][30] working at Burnley for just over two years - they achieved promotion to the Premier League in 2008–09 via the play-offs.
[36] On 31 December 2014, Stewart became assistant to Coyle at Houston Dynamo in Major League Soccer;[37][38] however they were unable to steer the team to the Playoffs in the 2015 season, and in May 2016, midway through the following campaign, their 17-month stint came to an end.
[45] He initially began his career as a midfielder but retrained as a full-back, which he stated drew more scrutiny on his performances from his father due to his experience in the role.