Premiership star eyes title race kingmaker role as Hearts-supporting dad gives him added incentive

His rise to fame has been highlighted at Tesco - and now Falkirk striker Barney Stewart hopes every little goal helps in pursuit of becoming a title race kingmaker.

The Scotland Under-21 international has been named the William Hill Premiership Player of the Month for March after a hot-streak of form, netting six goals in his last five club matches across all competitions. Stewart was playing at Heriot-Watt university just 18 months ago and turned professional aged 20, debuting in the top flight during January, after an impressive loan at Championship level with Dunfermline Athletic.

He’s netted eight goals in 13 Premiership appearances and has proven key to John McGlynn’s side reaching the top six. They now host second-placed Rangers twice before the end of the season and with his dad a fan of league leaders Hearts, Stewart would love to add to his dream season by playing a role in who takes the Premiership crown.

William Hill's player of the Month for March, Barney Stewart, of Falkirk | Graeme Hunter Pictures

Could Falkirk star play key role in who wins the Scottish Premiership?

“That would be great to be fair,” said Stewart. “I plan on scoring before every game but that would be massive. Especially with my dad being a Hearts fan - that would be really big. I’m a Chelsea man so I have to worry about them winning the FA Cup.

“But I’m sure my dad would be buzzing if I did. He grew up in Edinburgh. He’s not going to their games but he’s a fan. There’s enough pressure on these games as it is .. I just have to view it as another game. In the summer I trained really hard because I wanted to get that number nine spot.

“Obviously I wanted to score a few goals but I’ve surpassed that. It’s been great for me in terms of doing more than I expected. I would love to hit another four. But you never know. It could be more or less.”

Barney Stewart on rise to fame

Such has Stewart’s fairytale rise to prominence been that being recognised in public has come as a nice surprise. One Hearts fan spotted him buying in birthday treats at Tesco as he celebrated his 22nd birthday this week. The forward revealed a dressing down from boss McGlynn away at Tynecastle sparked his recent goal rush.

“It was a stern talking to!,” said Stewart. “I’m my own biggest critic and I know whatever the gaffer had to say I already had in my head. It was stay in between the sticks, hit the ball, there was so much I could have done better that game. I came off thinking I’m not coming off feeling like this after game again.

“It’s been a great month since that Hearts game. I got recognised at Tesco, it was a great feeling. I do talk some sh*** so if you see me in public just be aware of that! It was a Hearts fan on the till, because it was my birthday and I was in buying the boys treats.

“I had to explain to him why I was going into training with easter eggs and stuff. I was trying to tell him it wasn’t normal, I don’t eat easter eggs before training. He told me to sign for Hearts! He was a nice guy. It’s so weird, though, I texted my missus afterwards and she said it makes no sense. We are just normal people, so someone coming up to me makes me think ‘oh my f****** hell’ - but it is quite special.”