'Confident' - New signing Barney Stewart aims to continue exciting rise at West Brom

New West Brom signing Barney Stewart is confident that he can replicate his goal-scoring exploits in the Championship after completing his £1.3million switch from Falkirk.

The 22-year-old, who has enjoyed a remarkable rise over the past 18 months, has penned a four-year deal with the Baggies.

Stewart scored 19 goals during his first full season in the professional game last term - including 10 for Falkirk following his recall from a loan spell at Dunfermline.

He went on to be named Scottish Football Writers’ Young Player of the Year and is hoping he can continue his exciting rise at the Hawthorns.

‘I come to life around the box’

“I saw a stat the other other day which said that only one my goals was scored when I had a touch before the finish, which suggest there’s plenty of first-time finishes,” Stewart told WBA TV.

“I come to life around the box and that’s my speciality. I’m very confident I can score goals here at the Albion, just like I did last year for Dunfermline and Falkirk.

“I’m a confident person and I’ll always back myself. I’d absolutely love to find the same form as last year, starting in pre-season.”

The Scotland under-21 international only made his professional debut for Falkirk in January 2025, after he was spotted playing as an amateur for Heriot Watt University.

Stewart scored twice in 16 games during Falkirk’s promoting-winning campaign, but was sent on loan to work under Neil Lennon at local rivals Dunfermline.

His loan heralded eight goals in 12 games before he scored his first senior hat-trick against Hibernian upon his return to Falkirk in January.

Stewart on relishing the challenge in the Championship

A brace in another comfortable 5-1 triumph over Kilmarnock followed along with further league strikes against Aberdeen, St Mirren and Motherwell.

Fellow Scotsman James Morrison has since moved to make Stewart his first Albion signing and Stewart is relishing the chance to challenge himself in the Championship.

Not only that, but Stewart also revealed that he is excited by the Morrison’s plans for both the club and for his own development, as he looks to move to the next level.

“I had a great chat with the manager James Morrison. He won a lot of caps for Scotland and he’s got loads of contacts up there,” he added.

“So, he knows lots about me. From what I have heard, he’s got great plans and great aspirations for me. He’s a lovely guy, so I can’t wait to get started and get to work under him.

“He knows I’m a young player and I have to develop, but he told me he’s there to help me and I can go to him with anything if I need help. He’s an ex-player, so he’ll always understand things from a player’s perspective and that’s great to have.

“I’m so excited by the challenge of playing in the Championship. I love the frequency of the games and it’s one of the best leagues int he world to watch.

“To be part of the division will be incredible.”