James Morrison 'excited for journey' with new West Brom recruit
Albion’s Barney Stewart has enjoyed a meteoric rise inside the last two years - and now faces the challenge of the English Championship.
Boss James Morrison will keep an eye on Barney Stewart’s workload this summer as the new Albion recruit acclimatises.
The 22-year-old summer signing is working his way up to speed after a £1.2million signing from Falkirk.
Albion’s new frontman has been a professional for just 18 months after Falkirk snared him from amateur university in late 2024.
Stewart bagged his first non-competitive Albion goal in the 4-1 friendly win over Bromley in Portugal as a late substitute. Head coach Morrison noted how some care must be taken over Stewart’s development as he settles into the rough and tumble of English football.
“Obviously he hasn't had a pre-season before really,” Morrison said. “A manager’s got to put that into consideration.
“If some days he's flagging, we've got to look after him.
“Also, we've got to keep working him on individual stuff, so he's got the structure, he knows his job.
“To let his talent come out and to keep working on his super strength of being in the box.
“You saw against Bromley with his finish, it was nice and clean. I've seen that in training all week, with his finishing.
“So it’s good and I'm excited for his journey.”
What would have been Stewart’s first professional pre-season last year with Falkirk was over before it had begun due to a broken metatarsal.
The injury blow set him back and Stewart, who hails from west London, then made a controversial loan to rivals Dunfermline.
It proved an inspired switch as a goal-laden stint led to a recall and Stewart hit top flight form for Falkirk at the beginning of this calendar year, leading to the Baggies’ interest.
Morrison, meanwhile, stated he has “a choice to make” on his new Albion club captain to replace the released Jed Wallace.
Former vice-captain Alex Mowatt had the armband against Bromley, though Morrison suggested there was little to read into that decision.
He replied: “I’ve got a choice to make later on, before the first game.”
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