West Brom striker fires international brace
Albion’s new striker is still awaiting a first Championship start but made his mark with first international goals on Wednesday night.
Albion striker Barney Stewart fired a brace as Scotland under-21s claimed an impressive 5-2 victory over visitors Azerbaijan.
The young Scots have failed to qualify for next summer’s competition after results elsewhere earlier on Wednesday meant a top two group finish was unachievable.
But for Barney and his team-mates it was the perfect start to life under new boss Tony Docherty.
The Albion striker, a £1.3million summer signing from Falkirk, led the way with a first-half double - his nation’s first two goals of the night.
It was the 22-year-old’s first international goals at any level in just his third cap at under-21 level having made his debut last November.
And the two goals could act as a boost for the rangy frontman in his pursuit to take off at club level at The Hawthorns.
His first goal was a fine towering header into the bottom left corner from eight yards out after a cross from the right. Stewart added a second three minutes later with a poacher’s effort as he lunged in from close range following a downward header.
Stewart checked in to no shortage of intrigue early in the summer after Albion’s pursuit of him, which began early in 2026, was completed by June.
The promising frontman rose to prominence in the last two years by plundering in goals at amateur level football north of the border for Heriot-Watt University, which led to the move to Falkirk then of the Championship.
A prolific loan at Dunfermline led to a recall and Stewart bagged eight goals in 17 Premiership outings for Falkirk last term.
His career in the Black Country is yet to take off and Stewart is still awaiting a first Championship start.
The London-born Scotland youngster has appeared as a substitute in all but one of the first eight league games of this season under James Morrison.
His sole start came on the big stage with 90 minutes at Newcastle’s St James’ Park in the 3-2 EFL Cup defeat in August. Stewart is yet to find the net for his new club.
Morrison told the Express & Star during pre-season that Albion would need to be patient while the striker develops and becomes up to speed with Championship football.
Stewart was busy off the bench in an otherwise poor Albion display in the Black Country derby defeat at Wolves last time out and there are growing calls from fans for the Scot to be offered a chance in the starting line-up by Morrison.
But Stewart is unlikely to return to his club until next Wednesday at the earliest, with Scotland in action in Bulgaria in the final group clash next week.
Midfielder Tyler Fletcher, son of ex-Albion captain Darren, was also on target for the young Scots, who looked to catch the eye of new senior head coach Sebastien Pocognoli, the former Baggies full-back.
Villa prospect Aidan Borland impressed in a deep-lying midfield role in the victory at Kilmarnock’s Rugby Park.