Returning Kilmarnock striker sees similarities between current season and Steve Clarke era

The 33-year-old was a fan favourite during his first stint five years ago and says the feeling around the club is similar to their success under Steve Clarke

A lot’s happened at Kilmarnock since Greg Stewart departed the club.

The 33-year-old was in a rich vein of form and Killie were sitting third in the table under the guidance of Steve Clarke. They were in the midst of their best season in decades when he was recalled by parent club Birmingham City, and then promptly loaned to Aberdeen.

Killie went on to secure third place that year - ahead of the Dons on goal difference but the decline was fairly rapid with the club being relegated to the Championship two seasons later.

Now he’s back in Ayrshire, the fan favourite insists there’s plenty of similarities between that remarkable 2018/19 team and the current one under Derek McInnes - and he’s determined to back up those words on the park.

Stewart penned a deal until the end of the campaign and made his second debut as a late substitute in their Scottish Cup win over Dundee last weekend. As they prepare to host Hibs today, he believes there’s potential for a memorable campaign at Rugby Park.

He said: “I get that feeling that we could be in a good place if we can kick on in the second half of the season.
“There’s lots of places for Europe up for grabs. There’s a really good vibe here and the standard of training has been brilliant.

"I’m a big believer in if you train well, you play well. I feel there’s similarities with that time although it’s easy to say that. There’s a good feeling about the club.

"I was in a good place and so was the team but that’s football, anything happens. Always expect the unexpected. When I left, it was out of my hands. That’s politics, what can you do?”

Stewart returns to the Scottish winter having spent the last two years in India and says experiencing something different was simply an opportunity too good to turn down but admits he’s delighted to be back on home soil and is desperate to bag the goals to keep Killie up the table.

He said: “When I left Rangers, I had it in my head that I wanted to try something different. It was a good experience going to India, I didn’t know much about the football side of things over there.

"On the pitch it was a really good two-and-a-half years for me and an experience I wouldn’t have had if I didn’t take that chance. They did everything to make it as easy as possible and with it being part of the City Group, they were as professional as they could. I’m glad I did it, but I’m home now and I can’t wait to get going.

"I’m at a good age where I still feel I have three or four years left if my body lets me. There’s a familiarity with coming back. There’s also a lot of young players here that I can help but firstly, I need to come here and do my job, score goals and try to get three points for Kilmarnock every game. It’s good to be back and I feel like I’m ready to go again.”

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