Striker reacts to 'insane' West Brom and Celtic transfer interest | OneFootball

Barney Stewart has had his say on the speculation surrounding a move to the Championship

Barney Stewart's rapid rise to becoming one of the top attacking prospects in the Scottish Premiership is well-documented.

The 22-year-old only made his professional debut for Falkirk in January 2025, signing with the Bairns while still studying at university in 2024. Now, 18 months later, he's come off the back of an 18-goal campaign.

He spent the first half of the season on loan at Neil Lennon's Dunfermline Athletic, netting eight in 12 in all competitions, before returning to Falkirk and announcing himself back with a hat trick against Hibernian.

In the end, he was a major part in helping the Bairns land a top-six finish in the SPL this season, scoring eight league goals and a couple more in the SFA Cup.

Understandably, that has garnered a lot of interest in Stewart. Scottish giants Celtic have been credited with interest, and Championship outfit West Brom have had a seven-figure fee knocked back, as reported last week.

The London-born frontman has represented Scotland at under-21 level this past year, and has been tipped for an outside shot at making the World Cup this coming summer. Understandably, it's been quite a whirlwind year for him.

Barney Stewart opens up on West Brom transfer interest

Stewart recently won the SPFL Young Player of the Year at the Scottish Football Writers' Association awards after a brilliant first full season in the limelight, impressing for both Dunfermline and Falkirk.

At the ceremony, he was understandably quizzed on the transfer speculation surrounding him this summer, and he admitted, per the Express and Star, that he's just going to let thingsplay out in the background.

"Listen, it's not for me to say. I have only been in the football game for a season and a half. Everything is new to me, every bit of a rumour, anything is new," he said.

"It's a lot to take in, but it's the summer holidays now, and I am going to enjoy that and let whatever happens happen in the background."

However, he's not naive as to how impressive it is to have top Scottish and Championship clubs looking to bring him in just 18 months on from his debut.

But he's not letting himself get carried away with it all, and will be prepared to take that next step if it does come this summer.

"It is insane," he added. "If it were to happen, it would be a massive step and a quick rise; one I would have to take in my stride, but speculation is speculation."

Barney Stewart would be the perfect replacement for outgoing West Brom attackers

West Brom clearly outlined their interest in Stewart early in the offseason, and with plenty of outgoings expected at the top end of the pitch at the Hawthorns, the 22-year-old would be the perfect replacement, as the Baggies look to get back on track next season.

Their retained list states that Daryl Dike will be leaving this summer, while Josh Maja has been offered a new deal, and Karlan Grant's negotiations are ongoing. So, there's a likelihood that either one or both of those may be departing, too.

Therefore, West Brom could have a lot to do in terms of new attacking signings during the offseason, and it makes sense why they targeted Stewart so early in it.

But, it looks like Falkirk will be standing strong in their valuation of the former QPR trainee, with the Bairns' manager, John McGlynn, stating that Stewart could leave the club this summer, "if the price is right."