Barney Stewart optimistic West Brom's James Morrison can be crucial in career goals
One of Albion’s new summer signings has lofty ambitions in his career - and believes his new head coach can help.
New Albion recruit Barney Stewart hopes boss James Morrison can become a key influence in his ambition to break into the Scotland ranks.
The striker, 22, is looking to make his mark on English football for the first time after goal-laden stints with Falkirk and on loan at Dunfermline.
London-born Stewart wants goals at Championship level with the Baggies to help propel him into the national fold north of the border, for whom he qualifies through his father.
Stewart is confident Morrison, the 46-cap former Scotland midfielder, can provide the right direction for the striker to one day launch an international career.
“There's loads of factors to be honest,” Stewart told the Express & Star. “I do think that having a Scottish manager was a big factor for me in terms of he can help me in my long-term goal, to aim to get into the Scotland squad eventually.
“He knows what Scotland want in a striker, so he talks to me about that.
“I love the fact that he's an ex-player because he knows how we feel after games, for example, he knows the emotions of football.
“I liked when I chatted to him how confident he was, but how laid-back he seemed.
“There were so many different factors that sort of made me really like West Brom, and also another factor was just that it's local to home. My family's in London, so they're not going to have to travel four-odd hours to come watch me play!”
Stewart’s form on loan in the Scottish Championship at Dunfermline last season season earned him a maiden call for the Scotland under-21 set-up and the frontman twice appeared as a substitute in European Championship qualifiers against Bulgaria and Gibraltar.
The striker hopes to be involved as the Baggies face Peterborough in London Road friendly on Saturday.
Stewart added of Morrison’s management style: “For example in a training session if he could see that we've pushed ourselves to our limit, and let's just say Tony (Strudwick) says ‘oh, we've got another set’ sometimes the gaffer's says you're not going to get anything out of it with the boys are running on empty.
“It's just sort of little things like that that you realise, how he understands football as a player and you appreciate that.”
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