Greg Stewart has already earned a special place in the hearts of the Mohun Bagan SG fans in his debut season. Time and again, he has mesmerised with jaw-dropping assists and exceptional skills. His ability to rescue the team from precarious situations and bring relief to fans has made him an irreplaceable figure.
One such moment unfolded on Saturday night when Mohun Bagan, aiming to reclaim top spot in the ISL, struggled to break the deadlock until the 85th minute. From the 65th minute onwards, the stands at the Yuba Bharati Krirangan erupted with chants from Mohun Bagan fans, urging Jose Molina to bring on Stewart. The Scottish playmaker had just recovered from a knee injury and missed the last two games, but Molina didn’t hesitate to play his trump card in the 85th minute.
The crowd held their breath as Stewart immediately made his presence felt, hitting the woodwork with his first shot. A minute later, the stadium roared in unison. Stewart delivered a pinpoint pass to Jason Cummings, who set it up expertly and curled it past a fully stretched Mohammed Nawaz into the top-left corner of the Chennaiyin FC goal. The goal sealed a crucial three points for the Mariners.
What stood out most was Stewart’s determination to overcome pain and play for his team. Despite not being fully fit, he brought joy to the fans with his heroic performance.
“I managed to train for a few minutes this week, but I was still feeling pain when I started,” Stewart said in the post-match press conference. “I knew if I could play for 10-15 minutes, I could help the team, and I managed to do that. I will always try to help the team as much as I can.”
Bagan fans have always shown unwavering support for Stewart. From the warm reception at the airport on his arrival in Kolkata to their cheers during every game and training session, the faithful have left a lasting impression on him.
“They have supported me since the day I came here,” said Stewart. “I remember arriving at the airport, and the fans were there to welcome me. Whether it’s a home game or an away match, they are always backing us. I hope we can keep pushing on the pitch, getting victories for them, and hopefully celebrate with a trophy at the end of the season.”
After the final whistle, the Scottish midfielder was surprised to know he had been named Man of the Match. “When the coach told me, I laughed because normally, you need to play longer to earn it,” he said. “But at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter. What matters to me is the three points.”
Having previously played under Owen Coyle, Stewart was well aware of the challenge Chennaiyin posed. Mohun Bagan had lost to them in both home games over the past two years. Without Stewart’s impactful display, Molina’s side might not have secured all three points.
“I know Owen Coyle very well, and I knew it was going to be a very difficult match,” admitted Stewart.
His presence on the pitch continues to trouble opponents. Last night, he hit the woodwork twice apart from providing the match-winning assist. “And then Jason did a beautiful finish—that’s what he does,” said Stewart. “I’m happy for the three points, but I’m even happier for Jason as he hasn’t been getting many minutes on the pitch. I’m super happy for him.”
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