Two former Rangers players are savouring the sweet taste of success in India after playing vital roles in Mohun Bagan Super Giant’s stunning league title win.
Jason Cummings and Greg Stewart have proved that sometimes the most unexpected career moves can lead to the brightest rewards, as their Indian adventure reached new heights on Saturday.
The pair, who both made surprising transfers away from the Scottish Premiership, helped guide the Kolkata-based side to their second consecutive Indian Super League championship under the guidance of manager Jose Molina.
Their victory capped a remarkable season in which Mohun Bagan earned a record-breaking 56 points, setting a new league high for a season consisting of just 24 fixtures.
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While the title was already secured before the final match, Mohun Bagan made sure to leave no doubt in their 2-0 victory over FC Goa.
Stewart, 34, found the net in second half stoppage time, while Cummings - coming off the bench with 78 minutes on the clock - set up the goal with a perfectly timed assist.
Earlier, an own goal from Goa’s Boris Singh Thangjam gave Mohun Bagan the lead in the 62nd minute, and Stewart’s late finish sealed the win.
Their dominant 56-point tally and an unmatched 12-game unbeaten run at home further underlined the sheer quality of their season.
Mohun Bagan’s Scottish playmaker, Stewart, expressed his elation at becoming the 2024/25 ISL champion and helping the side make history as the first team to successfully defend the League Shield.
“It’s a special day for everyone involved in the club: the fans, the owners, and all the backroom staff. It’s a massive day for all the players, especially this man (Dimitri Petratos), who was amazing last week. Yeah, it’s a great day all around,” Stewart told indiansuperleague.com.
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While the team knew they were set to lift the Shield, Stewart emphasised the significance of finishing the league stage on a high note by securing all three points in the process.
“We knew we were going to lift the shield, but we also knew it would be better if we could get the three points. So, to do both, it’s been a special day. The family is here, all the boys together. Amazing day,” he added.
Though he was delighted to score, Stewart stressed the importance of the team’s collective effort.
“Of course, it’s always nice to score, but more important is the three points for everyone together. It was nice to get on the scoresheet,” he remarked.
Stewart also credited Cummings for his crucial assist.
“Jason did a great assist. He took one for the team, put his body on the line, and managed to put the finish away with my right foot. So, it’s always nice when you see it hit the back of the net,” he continued.
Cummings and Stewart’s careers have taken them on unconventional paths, with both players moving abroad in search of fresh challenges.
Stewart was previously at Jamshedpur and Mumbai City after departing Rangers in the summer of 2021, and he had a brief 11 game spell back in Scottish football at Kilmarnock last year before returning to India with Mohun Bagan.
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Cummings, meanwhile, has also experienced a nomadic career by the age of 29.
He started his career as a prolific goalscorer for Hibernian before spells at Nottingham Forest, Rangers, Peterborough United, and Dundee… to name a few.
