Superb Signing Barney Stewart Epitomises Falkirk's Spirit
Turning professional at 20 is relatively late for a footballer, yet Barney Stewart has quickly become one of the Scottish Premiership's most prolific strikers just 15 months into his senior career.
His success was not immediate. It took three months after joining Falkirk from Heriot Watt University for Stewart to score his first senior goal. By the end of that season, he had two goals in 17 appearances and was not a regular starter, as John McGlynn's team secured the Scottish Championship title.
After spending the first half of this season on loan at Dunfermline Athletic in the second tier, Stewart has shown determination to accelerate his progress.
His eight goals in 12 games for Dunfermline convinced McGlynn to recall him during the January transfer window. Since then, Stewart has scored nine goals in 15 matches for Falkirk. On Friday, he is expected to make his third appearance for Scotland Under-21s.
Following such a swift rise, a senior Scotland squad call-up is likely Stewart's ambition, with some already suggesting he is ready for promotion.
"In the long-term, yes," he said. "I would never have said that in the summer at the start of this season. I don't think I'd be anywhere near the Scotland team this season. I've always set my goals quite high and maybe wildly ambitious, but I've always just thought like that, because if you're not aiming for the top, then what's the point in trying?"
Scotland's World Cup Spots Remain Competitive
While it may be optimistic to expect Stewart to break into the senior squad for this summer's World Cup, competition is fierce. Lawrence Shankland has returned to fitness for Premiership leaders Heart of Midlothian, Che Adams plays in Serie A for Torino, and Lyndon Dykes, George Hirst, and Tommy Conway are regulars in England's second tier.
However, the inclusion of Findlay Curtis in warm-up friendlies against Japan and Ivory Coast demonstrates that head coach Steve Clarke can make unexpected selections. Curtis, a 19-year-old on loan to Kilmarnock from Rangers, fills a perceived gap on the wing.
Assistant coach Steven Naismith recently noted that fringe players still have opportunities to "stake their claim" regardless of their current club level.
Stewart has already earned two caps for Scotland Under-21s and aims to score his first goal for Scot Gemmill's side in their upcoming European Championship qualifiers against the Czech Republic and Portugal.
At club level, Stewart has set his sights on a top-half finish for sixth-placed Falkirk and Scottish Cup success, with Dunfermline, his former loan club, as semi-final opponents on 18 April.
"It's almost deluded, but I've always been quite ambitious," he said. "I've always backed myself. It's just about the right opportunity and I think Falkirk was perfect for me."
McGlynn's "been absolutely great for me - patient, he knows the game inside and out."
Stewart remains focused on performing well for Falkirk, stating,
"It doesn't really make a difference where my performance gets me."
Impressive Form and Transfer Prospects
Since returning from loan, Stewart has scored seven goals and provided two assists, including a hat-trick against Hibernian on 24 January. This tally represents more goal involvements than any other player in the Premiership during that period and more goals than any Falkirk player overall, despite missing the first half of the season.
Although Falkirk suffered a 2-1 home defeat to St Mirren on Saturday, missing out on a top-six finish, Stewart's goal in that match marked his fifth in four games and brought his season total to 17 goals in 27 appearances.
Former Scotland forward Steven Naismith praised Stewart on Sportscene, saying,
"Everyone's talking about his story - and it's great. He's fought and fought and fought to get his chance at the professional game and he's taken it. The biggest compliment I can pay him is, every goal he scores, every time the ball's wider in the final third, he's in the box."
Sportscene pundit Stephen Craigan predicts Stewart will command a significant transfer fee this summer.
"His all-round game has been top-notch," Craigan said. "He's a real poacher, he's only 21 years of age and he puts himself between the goals and searches out chances. The number of goals he taps in - he's always alert. You're not always in the right place by luck. He has that knack. There's probably other people ahead of him, but if you're wanting someone raw, who has a goal in them and you're Scotland manager, you have a look at him."
Background and Ambitions
Stewart, who grew up in London but has Scottish parents, revealed that he never found the right opportunity to turn professional in England.
"I've looked at players playing professional football and I've always said 'I could do that' if I just get given the right platform or the right opportunity," he said. "In Scotland, people have clearly been willing to look down the ranks, especially obviously John McGlynn, who was willing to take a small bit of a risk to pick me up."
While studying Sports Science at Heriot-Watt University—a degree he intends to complete—Stewart recalls being star-struck by Hearts' first team players who train nearby at Oriam on the outskirts of Edinburgh.
"I actually have a photo with Lawrence Shankland and guys like that," he added. "I'm a Chelsea fan, but my dad's a big Jambo, so he was like 'make sure you get a selfie with Lawrence'. Now I'm on the same pitch as him, playing against him, it's surreal."
