EXCLUSIVE: Aberdeen starlet Alfie Stewart on long list of loan suitors – and why Caley Thistle boss Scott Kellacher can help him ‘mount challenge’ at Dons.

Aberdeen youngster Alfie Stewart discusses returning to Inverness and how his first stint at Caley Thistle taught him to use his ‘brain more’ on the pitch.

Alfie Stewart has revealed that knowing what he was going back to convinced him to return to Inverness Caledonian Thistle despite interest from a number of other clubs.

The 18-year-old Aberdeen midfielder has joined the Caley Jags on loan until January. Stewart spent the second half of last season with the League One club, appearing in 17 games and scoring three goals.

 

This summer, the teenager had plenty of suitors, but he explained why he preferred to rejoin Caley Thistle. Stewart told The Press and Journal: “I had good conversations with other clubs.

I won’t name them, but with Caley Thistle, I knew what I was getting into. “Knowing the gaffer, the boys, and how we wanted to play, I felt it was the best option for me. “There was a lot of interest, but I chose what I thought was right. “I believe my first spell at Inverness was the pinnacle of my career so far.

“This was my second loan. I was at Peterhead (season 2023-24) and then here in Inverness, and I believe the light bulb went off, and I began to use my brain more in terms of the movements you need to make and what you need to do when the team does certain things.”

Why Kellacher can help starlet push for Aberdeen action

Stewart believes working under Inverness manager Scott Kellacher will help him develop as a player. He hopes that another successful spell in the Highland capital will help him push for a first-team spot at Aberdeen.

Stewart continued, “The manager is a big part of me coming back with the way he wants to play the game.” “We want to play with the ball, and that’s right up my alley.

“He doesn’t let you off the hook; he’s always on your case – but in a good way, and he wants the best for you.” “I believe I will develop under the manager, and I hope to be in a good position when I return to Aberdeen.

“Aberdeen have said to me to go and get six months of football under my belt and then come back and try to mount a challenge.”

Close call for Caley Thistle return

Caley Thistle began their season on Tuesday night with a 2-0 home victory over Elgin City in the Premier Sports Cup, with Stewart coming on as a substitute in the 76th minute.

However, the paperwork for his return to Inverness was not finalised until a few hours before kick-off, leaving him with an anxious wait to see if he would be able to play against Elgin.

He explained: “I came up on Sunday night, trained with the boys on Monday, and then spent the majority of the day on Tuesday waiting for it to be completed – it was about 5.30pm before it was resolved.

“But Fiona McWilliams (Caley Thistle secretary) was excellent, as were Kris Mavor (academy operations manager) and Steven Gunn (director of football) at Aberdeen, and we were able to resolve the situation.

“Getting back out on the pitch was good and hearing the fans singing my song when I came on was good.”

Read more on sportupdates.co.uk