Aberdeen midfielder says recommendation from Inverness Caley Thistle Scottish Cup winner convinced him to agree loan deal with League One club
ALFIE Stewart says speaking to a former Inverness Caledonian Thistle Scottish Cup winner was one of the main reasons he decided to join the club on loan.
The centre midfielder, who arrived on loan from Premiership club Aberdeen last week, says he was recommended to head to the Highlands by former Inverness defender Graeme Shinnie, who now plays with the Dons.
Midfielder Stewart, along with striker Alfie Bavidge, have arrived on loan deals from Aberdeen, which will see them play at the Caledonian Stadium until the end of the season.
They both played in the 2-0 win over Dumbarton at the Caledonian Stadium on Saturday after which moved them six points clear off bottom spot.
Stewart says he spoke to Shinnie, who played for six years in the first team at Inverness between 2009 and 2015 after coming through the club’s youth academy. He was also part of the Inverness team that won the Scottish Cup in 2015.
Shinnie then signed for Aberdeen in 2015 and spent four years during his first period at the club before signing for Derby County in 2019. He signed for Wigan Athletic in 2022 before returning to Aberdeen permanently the following year.
Stewart said he spoke to Shinnie, as well as the club’s youth phase manager Stuart Duff, who also played for Inverness between 2009 and 2011, about moving to Inverness and convinced him it was the right move for him.
Speaking about how much influence Shinnie had in his move to Aberdeen, Stewart said: “Massively. “We play in the same position and he always gives you help.
“As a person you can talk to him about anything.
“With this club it was just as soon as he spoke and told me what he told me, it was obvious that I was coming.
“He was joking about how it has changed since his day. But he spoke highly of the club so it was good to hear from him and he is a good character.”
Stewart came on as a substitute in the 2-0 win over Dumbarton on Saturday, with fellow Aberdeen loan player Bavidge starting the match and scoring the winner. Head coach Scott Kellacher was pleased with how both players performed on their debut.
Stewart has had previous senior football experience as he was on loan at Peterhead in League Two last season.
He is looking forward to challenging himself at a higher level in League One, looking to take in everything to help him develop, and return to Aberdeen, as a better player.
He said: “Peterhead was good, it was really enjoyable to play at a high level at League Two. But it is about showing everyone here what I can do and what I am capable of and pushing the club to get where they should be.”
Speaking about Aberdeen’s demands while on loan, Stewart said: “I am looking to get as many games as possible and enjoy it. They told me to come back in pre-season and we will work on what is ahead.
Speaking about what Kellacher is looking from him at Inverness, Stewart said: ”The same as Aberdeen, they always want you to enjoy a loan but you are here to do a job.
“You are not just here for a jolly, you are here to work hard and get the club up to where it should be and play football. The way the boys play with the ball, it is good for everyone to be involved in.
“It suits my game massively, but I don't mind the dirty side either.”
