Scottish Premiership award winner backed for Pocognoli call after 'confident' move at new club

Scotland hopeful Barney Stewart has been backed to catch the attention of head coach Sebastien Pocognoli after his confident start to life at West Bromwich Albion.

Stewart, 21, won the SWFA young player of the year award after scoring 10 goals in 21 games in the second half of last season for Falkirk, before being tempted over the border by former Scotland international James Morrison in a £1.5million to West Brom in the summer.

Scotland Under-21 striker Barney Stewart has set his sights on senior call-up after an impressive last few weeks. | SNS Group

Forced to wait for his opportunity in the Baggies first team, the physically imposing forward bagged his first goal for the club on only his third start as he kicked off a remarkable 3-2 comeback win over Blackburn Rovers last week, placing home his side’s first goal after near work from Rabby Nzingoula on 19 minutes.

With new Scotland boss Pocognoli prepared to give youth a chance, as shown by first call-ups for Robbie Ure, Colby Donovan and Luke Graham last month, former West Brom striker Kevin Phillips believes Stewart has what it takes to make an impact at international and has backed him for a potential first call-up when the team returns for the Nations League double header against Switzerland and North Macedonia in November.

Asked if he viewed him as a future international, Phillips said: “I would say so. It's great; I love seeing that from young players, going straight in and asking for that number nine shirt. Generally, over the years, the number nine's been worn by club legends, very good players. And when you go in and ask for it, well, I remember I went to Southampton, and I asked for the number seven shirt, following on from Matt Le Tissier. That was probably a mistake on my part!”

Stewart has no doubt caught the attention of Scotland’s new Belgian boss after his goalscoring form for the Under-21 side last month. Notching an impressive brace in the 5-2 victory over Azerbaijan in the European Championship qualifiers last month, he added another to his tally when Tony Docherty’s side downed Bulgaria 2-0 in Pazardzhik.

Stewart battles for the ball against Preston North End. | Tim Thursfield/Iconic Media Group

Phillips, who scored 41 league goals at the Hawthorns during his playing career, believes Stewart’s self confidence has al the hallmarks of a player that can become a household name at the Midlands outfit.

“Credit to Barney Stewart, he wants to go in there; he wants to be the number nine,” Phillips told BestBettingSites.co.uk. “He's obviously got competition ahead of him in Jimmy-Jay Morgan, who's doing exceptionally well, but it shows his confidence, and I love that in a player. Now Barney has to follow it up with performances. He's a very exciting player. So hopefully he'll become that legend of a number nine at that football club.”

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