Stewart's Rise Through Football Ranks
Ross Stewart's 33 appearances for Southampton this season mark his highest in a single campaign since 2021-22.
Despite enduring a shattered nose and jeers from the terraces, Stewart found his passion for football reignited during his time in the junior leagues after being released by professional clubs. The striker, once a raw and gangly 18-year-old, has since transformed into a prolific forward whose goals have propelled Southampton's promotion ambitions and earned him a place in Scotland's World Cup squad.
Stewart's path to prominence has been unconventional. Hailing from Ayrshire, he played for local junior clubs Ardeer Thistle and Kilwinning Rangers following several challenging years in youth setups at St Mirren, Celtic, and Partick Thistle.
"It has served me well," Stewart told BBC Scotland in 2022. "When I went and played juniors, being in an adult environment, I really took to it and fell back in love with football, the camaraderie and the banter. You're not treated like a youth player, you're treated like an adult. I was playing well and scoring goals and just worked my way up the junior leagues, then got my chance to go back to the senior set-up."
Challenges and Support in the Junior Leagues
The term 'juniors' can be misleading; it refers to semi-professional football governed separately from the Scottish FA, featuring players ranging from promising teenagers to former internationals in their 40s. The competitive and physically demanding environment is unforgiving, as Stewart's experiences illustrate.
"The one I always think back to is when we played Pollok, who have a big junior ground," Stewart recalled. "I broke my nose that day. I can just remember being sparked out and getting called all the names under the sun. There's no remorse for any type of injury at that level - you've just got to get up and get on with it. I tried to turn inside someone and I got a shoulder straight to the nose. There was blood everywhere, my nose was pointing sideways, and you're getting called a 'diving you-know-what' and all that."
Stewart's decision to drop down to the junior level paid dividends when his impressive performances earned him a move to the SPFL with third-tier Albion Rovers. However, the transfer involved an unusual arrangement: Kilwinning Rangers sought £1,500 for Stewart, but Rovers could only afford £1,000. Stewart's father, Cameron, covered the remaining £500.
"Dad says me living out my dreams is enough for him, but I've probably paid him back in terms of complimentary tickets to watch my games now," Stewart said. "I've got a lot to thank him for. He played junior football too in his younger days, as a sweeper. So it means we have contrasting opinions on the game a lot of the time. He always gives it: 'You'd have hated playing against me'."
Progression to Higher Levels and Overcoming Injury
More than five years ago, Stewart transitioned from fighting relegation with Ross County in the Scottish Premiership to joining Sunderland in League One, where his goal-scoring prowess helped the club secure promotion to the Championship. His performances earned him the nickname 'The Loch Ness Drogba' among Sunderland supporters.
Since joining Southampton in 2023, Stewart has faced significant injury setbacks but has demonstrated remarkable resilience. The 29-year-old has contributed crucial goals during Southampton's campaign to return to the Premier League, netting nine times since January, including strikes against Arsenal in an FA Cup quarter-final and Middlesbrough in the play-off semi-final second leg.
"From January onwards, he's had a rich vein of form where he's shown that he can score big goals in big games," Scotland manager Steve Clarke said of Stewart, who has two international caps but has not played for Scotland since 2022. "It's a good story. He was in my squad a few years ago, showing he can come up to this level. He's had a terrible run of injury. The Arsenal game in the cup, he shows he can have an impact in games of that level. The World Cup will be a very high level as well."
Upcoming Opportunities and Future Prospects
Stewart will have the chance to further his remarkable journey at Wembley Stadium on Saturday when Southampton faces Hull City in the Championship play-off final. Success there would elevate his status even more, especially if he can replicate his club form for Scotland in their first World Cup appearance in 28 years, culminating a decade-long ascent through the football ranks.
