When Ryhan Stewart joined the Lion City Sailors in early July, he cited the club’s lofty ambitions as a key reason behind his decision to return to Singapore.

Three and a half months on, the 26-year-old is beginning to find his feet in Sailors colours, having made his first Singapore Premier League (SPL) start for the club in last weekend’s impressive 2-0 victory over fellow title contenders FC Jurong.

“It’s been good to return to the SPL, especially with the Sailors. The quality has been really good, and every match has been exciting,” said Ryhan, who has now chalked up six appearances for the club.

While fellow wing-back Diogo Costa played a pivotal role in both goals against Jurong, Ryhan was equally lively down the opposite flank, with his dynamism and tireless work rate coming to the fore as Head Coach Mark Jackson deployed him in a more advanced role.

The result was particularly significant as it marked the Sailors’ first victory at the Jurong East Stadium in nine attempts, and Ryhan was pleased to have played his part in the hard-fought triumph.

“Against Jurong, I was able to get forward quite a bit and help create chances in the final third, which allowed me to contribute both offensively and defensively,” he reflected.

“My main aim is to help the team in whatever way I can. I usually prefer playing in a more advanced role as a right wing-back, but regardless of where I’m deployed, I always try my best to do my job and follow the coach’s instructions.”

The victory over Jurong was also the latest sign of the Sailors finding their rhythm under Jackson, with the team now on a three-match winning streak across all competitions after an initial period of adaptation following the Englishman’s appointment.

Interestingly, Ryhan and Jackson were both involved in the Thai League 1 during the 2025/26 season, with the former turning out for Kanchanaburi Power while the latter was at the helm of Buriram United.

Now working together at the Sailors, Ryhan, who also has experience playing top-flight football in Lithuania, believes the team is beginning to reap the rewards of embracing Jackson’s philosophy, even if there is still plenty of room for improvement.

“I’ve really enjoyed playing under Coach Jackson so far, and I feel we’re still some way from being the finished product,” he said.

“We’re gradually getting used to his ideas and understanding what he expects from us. Slowly but surely, we’re finding our rhythm. I think we’re doing really well at the moment, and hopefully, we can keep this positive momentum going.”

The Sailors will look to extend their winning run when they take on Tanjong Pagar United at the Jalan Besar Stadium on Sunday (25 October), although they can expect a stern test from a Jaguars side who have also enjoyed a promising start to the campaign.

Sporting a new club crest for the 2026/27 season, Tanjong Pagar head into the contest on the back of consecutive victories, having followed up a thrilling 4-3 triumph over Balestier Khalsa last month with a 2-1 win against Hougang United at the Jurong East Stadium.

Montenegrin forward Boris Kopitović, who struck the decisive penalty deep into stoppage time against Balestier, is among a host of experienced players recruited by Miquel Lladó’s side ahead of the new campaign.

Other notable arrivals include Madhu Mohana, Taufik Suparno, Jared Gallagher, Masahiro Sugita and Riku Fukashiro, giving the Jaguars a refreshed look as they seek to build on their encouraging early-season form.

Ryhan, who previously found the net against Tanjong Pagar while representing the Young Lions in 2020, is well aware of the challenge that awaits the Sailors.

“Tanjong Pagar may have a new team, but I know they’re always a stubborn side to play against. They tend to defend resolutely and make it difficult for opponents to score, so it won’t be easy for us,” he explained.

“This is a different Tanjong Pagar side from the one that the league is used to seeing, so it should be an exciting game for us and our fans.”

As the Sailors continue to build momentum on the pitch, Ryhan believes the strong camaraderie within the dressing room will be equally important in sustaining their progress over the course of the campaign.

Having established himself as a regular in the Singapore national team, with 41 senior international caps since making his debut in 2022, the wing-back is no stranger to several of his Sailors teammates.

Indeed, the opportunity to strengthen those existing relationships at club level has made his return to Singaporean football all the more enjoyable.

“I’m very close to a lot of the national team boys, like Glenn, Ilhan, Hariss and Song,” shared Ryhan.

“We’ve played together for the national team for a long time, so it’s a great feeling to now be able to train and play alongside them on a daily basis at club level.

“We’re all motivated by the same objectives: to deliver success for this club and to push the club to scale greater heights on the continental level.”