Scotland prospect laughs off World Cup chances after Lawrence Shankland selfie - 'my dad is a Jambo'
Nine-goal U21 striker eyeing full Scotland cap in future
Barney Stewart admitted he cannot get his head around suggestions that he might be under consideration for a full Scotland call-up just over a year after playing for Heriot-Watt University in the East of Scotland League.
The 21-year-old has emerged as one of the most dangerous strikers in the William Hill Premiership this term after being plucked from the non-league ranks by Falkirk boss John McGlynn in late 2024.
Stewart, currently in the Scotland Under-21 squad preparing for European Championship qualifiers against Czechia and Portugal, would love to graduate to the full squad one day but laughed off suggestions that he might be able to force his way into Steve Clarke’s thoughts for this summer’s World Cup.
“In the long term, yes,” he said of his national team aspirations. “I would never have said that in the summer at the start of this season. I didn’t think I’d be anywhere near the Scotland team this season.”
When asked if he had allowed himself to ponder going to the World Cup in America, Stewart said: “I’ve really not thought about it. I don’t even know what to say to questions like that just because it’s really not been on my mind.
“I’m fortunate to be picked for the 21s, so I genuinely don’t know how to answer that.”
Stewart has notched nine goals for Falkirk – including five in his last four games – since being recalled in January from a loan stint at Championship side Dunfermline.
The bustling forward always believed he had the attributes to make it as a professional footballer even though he had been overlooked until McGlynn took a chance on him.
“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,” said Stewart, who grew up in London but has Scottish parents.
“Although it never fell for me in England in terms of the right opportunity to go professional, 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.
“Although it was great being picked up, and there was more than one club that was looking at me, I’ve always said that I’d be able to do it. I’ve always backed myself, but it’s just about the right opportunity and I think Falkirk was perfect for me.”
While studying Sports Science at Heriot-Watt – a degree course he intends to finish at some point – Stewart recalls being star-struck by Hearts’ first team players, who train at the adjacent Oriam on the outskirts of Edinburgh.
“I actually have a photo with (Hearts and Scotland forward) Lawrence Shankland and guys like that,” he said. “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.”
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