West Bromwich Albion head coach James Morrison has publicly addressed the high expectations surrounding marquee summer signing Barney Stewart, following the 22-year-old forward’s clinical performance in pre-season.
Speaking after Albion’s 2–0 victory over Peterborough United at the Weston Homes Stadium, Morrison broke his silence on how the young striker has settled into the squad and what supporters can realistically expect ahead of the new EFL Championship campaign.
Stewart, who completed a move to The Hawthorns from Scottish Premiership side Falkirk on a four-year contract, produced a standout second-half performance. After replacing Aune Heggebø, the former Dunfermline loan star needed minimal time to make his mark, seizing on a crisp delivery from Mikey Johnston to slot home Albion’s second goal and secure the win.
For fans eagerly anticipating Morrison’s assessment of his high-profile recruit, the manager delivered an overwhelming vote of confidence, emphasizing that Stewart’s natural finishing ability and relentless work ethic fit seamlessly into the club’s culture.
> “Winning games and our strikers scoring goals – those are good habits,” Morrison told club media following the match. “I want the mentality of the whole group to be one where they know we’re trying to win every single game. I’ve got no worries about our fitness levels because the lads work hard every single day. They’re a joy to work with.”
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A Proven Goalscoring Instinct
Stewart arrived in the West Midlands following a breakout 2025/26 season in Scotland. Having bagged eight goals in 12 appearances on loan at Dunfermline before returning to Falkirk to net another 10 goals in top-flight and cup action, the young forward built a reputation for lethal first-time finishes in and around the penalty box.
Morrison noted that while Stewart’s talent was evident during scouting, his transition to Championship intensity has surpassed expectations.
> “We were much better with the ball in the second half and managed to fix our press,” Morrison explained. “You can see the lads are working hard for each other. I’d rather work with a group with that passion than just talent sometimes, and I’m really happy with where things are.”
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Stewart Ready for the Championship Challenge
For his part, Stewart remains grounded despite his early goalscoring form in friendly matches. The Scottish forward acknowledged that while scoring in pre-season builds vital momentum, his focus is firmly fixed on competitive fixtures.
> “It’s always nice when the ball goes in because scoring goals is a great way to build your confidence,” Stewart remarked after the match. “I’ve loved my first few weeks at the club. It’s such a great group and they’ve all welcomed me really well.”
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With West Bromwich Albion kicking off their competitive campaign against Rotherham United in the Carabao Cup, Morrison’s ringing endorsement signals that Stewart is set to play a pivotal role in the Baggies’ pursuit of promotion.
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