Tuesday November 18th 2025
Barney Stewart scores for Dunfermline, Photo Credit Craig Brown DAFC
Written by Midlothian View Sports Reporter, Ewan Hornell.
As always an international break were Scotland are concerned never lacks excitement. Whilst the first team were taking the nation through an emotional roller-coaster in Greece, over in Gibraltar the Under 21s squad had a debutant with quite the unique football journey. Two years ago he was a student at Heriot Watt University now Barney Stewart can call himself a Scotland International.
Barney grew up in London a multi-sport athlete. Representing London in Gaelic football as a teen. As well as competing at a high level in tennis and rugby. But, no different to millions of young men and women all up and down the country, football was an ever present. However, unlike many of his peers in the Scotland squad he was not brought through an academy set up, he was a product of his local school and boys club teams.
It was difficult to understand how good comparatively Barney was growing up to due to his more normal footballing environment his Dad, Peter explained,
“I’ve watched him play football I knew he was good…of course I’d say jokingly when he’s playing centre forward for Scotland but that’s a joke. I had no idea because you don’t see kids on that level.”
Bejay Koya, Barney’s Head Coach during his time at University, was someone who quickly noticed his potential. But, it was chance that led to Barney being spotted by Koya.
Barney’s parents being from Scotland meant visits up North were normal. And as luck would have it a family friend was a member of the coaching staff at Heriot Watt. So whilst visiting Edinburgh and scoping out potential University destinations Barney was invited along to training, encouraged by his Dad who thought it would be a good chance to gain a brief glimpse into university life. Barney impressed at training. But in what his Dad considered a ‘sliding doors’ moment, storms in the area meant flights back to London were cancelled as were League fixtures for Heriot Watt. A friendly was arranged against Penicuik, Barney started and mad a good account of himself, enough for Bejay Koya, to do everything in his power to make sure, despite a whole host of other University offers, that Barney made Heriot Watt his number one.
But, it wasn’t just the footballing ability that drew Koya to Barney’s potential,
“You felt like you really liked him.”
“I didn’t just look at the technical ability or tactical ability it was more the person.”
This positivity is a sentiment that has been echoed into Barney’s professional footballing career. Dropped into an old Scottish football rivalry as a Falkirk player on loan at Dunfermline. He was caught in online crossfire as fans on both sides voiced their displeasure about the move. But goals are an easy remedy for the so called displeasure. His constant positivity combined with his goals have left both fan bases willing to call a truce as both now wish they can could claim him as their own.
However, before he was the founder of the Pars Bairns peace treaty he was terrorising opposition across the East of Scotland League and University competition with the Watt. Team success and a constant stream of goals began to attract professional interest.
Koya is no stranger to nurturing players from university football into the higher Scottish football leagues. His most noticeable success story being Ayr United Striker, Anton Dowds. Barney was the first player since Dowds to score 40 plus goals in a season for the University.
In October 2024 despite interest from Raith Rovers Barney chose to sign for Falkirk. He was loaned back to the University until January before joining the then Championship side full time. He left the University side at the start of 2025 with 85 goals across both East of Scotland and BUCS Leagues.
In conversations with Falkirk the importance of education was never neglected. His Dad, Peter stated,
“Our number one concern was to make sure he was given a chance to complete his degree.”
His Falkirk debut came on January 11th against Queens Park and he ended the season part of the Falkirk side who won the league title and returned to the SPFL Premiership. In a whirlwind few months he had gone from University football to potential matches against the Old Firm.
Injury and summer signings meant as mentioned Stewart found himself a new temporary home with Dunfermline. In 6 matches for the Pars he has scored 4 goals and has been a key contributor to Neil Lennon’s side sitting in 4th place and in the race for a playoff spot. All this whilst still studying at the University. Quite the athletic academic juggling act.
His on pitch performance and unique journey have all built to now and Barney earning a call-up to Scotland Under 21s side for their Euro U-21 Qualifying fixtures against Gibraltar and Bulgaria.
Now to hear Barney speak you would not be wrong to assume he was not Scottish due to his rather strong English accent but his Dad did ensure that despite his lack of accent he does occasionally say ‘aye’. Small steps.
When questioned with his reaction and how he found out his Dad said,
“I found out because Barney asked me to send proof I’m Scottish!”
He jokingly stated,
“I sent a video of me doing the address the Haggis at a Burns Supper and said that should be enough.”
“When he said they want me to get my passport and come along I was like oh wow this is real.”
Football never stops offering surprises. One minute you are in a lecture hall next you are signing the national anthem for your country as a professional athlete.
Stewart’s journey to representing his country is unlike many others. He did not come through an academy but as Koya stated when discussing his unique path,
“Development is not linear.”
Koya recalled times when Stewart would text him and ask to extra training sessions or notice him doing extra gym sessions. Noting he had a ‘monster mentality’.
Stewarts whole footballing journey is evidence of some key takeaways. Firstly, football can open so many unconventional doors. Just because the end goal is not a traditional one does not mean that it is not going to work out.
Secondly, football especially at a youth level can drain so many young men and women of their spark. The pressure and weight of being labelled an ‘academy player’ can takeaway from what makes people of all ages fall in love with the game. Stewart’s smile and positive nature is what has always shone beyond just his ability.
Lastly and importantly its never too late to realise your footballing dreams.
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