As a part-time footballer at Cowdenbeath, Greg Stewart’s day job was working a high-pressure water jet at Grangemouth.
Now, as he gears up for a full-time training camp with Dundee in Budapest, he has insisted he can handle a different type of pressure and take the step up to Premiership football in his stride.
The powerful striker really made his mark last season, rattling in 16 goals including one against the Dark Blues for a Cowdenbeath side toiling away at the wrong end of the Championship table.
His scoring exploits persuaded Dens boss Paul Hartley to make a move for him and Stewart is determined to repay the manager for the faith he has shown in him.
He said: “Pre-season has been great so far. I’m not familiar with this full-time football stuff but I am really enjoying it.
“I was playing amateur four years ago for Syngenta Juveniles in Falkirk and now I’m going to be playing in the Premiership.
“Away from football I worked for Central Industrial Services operating a high-pressure water jet at the big oil refinery at Grangemouth.
“I actually enjoyed that but when an opportunity comes along to go full-time you have to take the chance. It is a big step up but I am looking forward to it.
“Looking back four years ago, I would never have thought that I would be playing in the SPL. It has been a bit of a whirlwind. I always believed in my ability but all it took was someone willing to believe in me.”
Stewart signed a pre-contract agreement with Dundee in April and said he cannot wait for the season to start.
He was also keen to thank Cowdenbeath for everything they did for him and expressed his delight he helped them stay up to secure their place in what will be a highly-lucrative Championship this season.
He said: “It seems ages since I signed and we have brought in another seven boys but I am just looking forward to working hard and see what the season brings. There seems to be a good bunch of lads here.
“My agent had talks with a few teams but when I spoke to Paul personally, my mind was made up to come to Dundee. It is a good club with a big support.
“We didn’t have that many fans when I was at Cowdenbeath and when Dundee came to Central Park it was like a home game for them, the amount of fans they brought.
“It is a buzz to play in front of as many supporters as that and I am really looking forward to playing at Dens. I also have a lot to thank Cowdenbeath for and everything the club did for me.
“I was delighted that we managed to stay up last season, especially for the chairman Donald Findlay and the gaffer, Jimmy Nicholl, who signed me for Cowdenbeath in the first place.
“I am delighted they will still be in the Championship next season. Jimmy is pleased for me as well as I have never had the opportunity of full-time football before.
“My new gaffer has shown faith in me so hopefully I can do some damage on the pitch for him.”
Stewart had hoped to attract the attention of a full-time club before now but said he had to be patient because of his age.
He said: “In Scotland if a player is under 23, you have to pay compensation. Teams in this country don’t have a lot of money so I have been waiting until I was 24 and hoping that someone would come in and give me a chance.
“I have spoken to a few clubs but once I talked to Paul personally, he seemed like a manager heading in the right direction. Hopefully, he will keep the club in the Premiership and even take us into the top six.”