In a notable piece of transfer news indirectly related to Celtic, recently linked forward Barney Stewart has joined West Bromwich Albion.
Celtic fans are patiently waiting for the club to make some movement in the 2026 summer transfer market, because there is a lot of work to do.
One of the areas that needs fixing is searching for that much-needed goalscorer, as you can rule out Celtic-linked Stewart.
The Falkirk hitman, who shone with the Bairns during the second half of last season, has secured a ‘£1.3 million’ transfer to English Championship side, West Brom, according to the Express and Star.
That is a club-record transfer for Falkirk, who finished in the top six last season under John McGlynn, despite being a newly promoted side.
Confident Barney Stewart speaks after joining West Brom following Celtic links
Stewart was on loan at Neil Lennon’s Dunfermline Athletic last season, scoring six in 11 before being recalled by his parent club.
That’s when the Celtic links began, but he returned to Falkirk during the winter and proceeded to take his game to the next level.
That’s when the London-born player scored eight goals in 11 Premiership matches, supplying two assists, and he now has his big move.
Some would suggest that Stewart isn’t ready for Celtic, but one thing is for sure: he has showcased his confidence in his first interview with Albion TV.
“I’m so excited by the challenge of playing in the Championship,” said Stewart. “I love the frequency of the games, and it’s one of the best leagues in the world to watch. To be a part of the division will be incredible.
“I saw a stat the other day which said that only one of my goals was scored when I had a touch before the finish, which suggests there’s plenty of first-time finishes. I come to life around the box, and that’s my speciality.
“I’m very confident that I can score the 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.”
Johnny Kenny and Callum Osmand are better than Stewart
Yes, Celtic still need a much-needed striker, even if Kelechi Iheanacho stays on board for next season.
But the right call was made not to push for Stewart’s signature because he isn’t better than what the champions of Scotland have on display.
Johnny Kenny was loaned out by Celtic in January because he wasn’t deemed good enough to lead the line during such a difficult period for the club.
Then you have Callum Osmand, who, during his small time on the pitch, has showcased serious quality and is an exciting prospect for next season.
It could be argued that both of those players are better than Stewart, so it’s a hint that experience needs to come in via the transfer window, not a youngster making his way up.