Falkirk are expecting serious transfer interest for in-form striker Barney Stewart, admits boss John McGlynn.

It would take a big offer for Falkirk to sell Barney Stewart this summer - but boss John McGlynn admits that the in-form striker is likely to have many suitors who may be prepared to offer big bucks.

And with the fan-owned Bairns facing a seven-figure sum to replace their artificial surface in 2027, alongside having to also fork out for full-time training facilities, McGlynn has a realistic outlook regarding the Scotland U21 star’s future if he continues to keep on scoring in the Scottish Premiership. The manager, however, says that Falkirk are in a strong position to knock any bids unless they are astronomical.

John McGlynn realistic about Barney Stewart interest

“I think we are actually,” McGlynn said when asked if he expected bids to come in for Stewart this summer. “But at the same time, we don't need to sell anyone. The club is run very, very efficiently. We have no big hitters behind the scenes putting money in. Everything that comes in has been earned by the team on the pitch doing particularly well. The club is in a financially good position. There's no doubt though, like basically every Scottish team, it would be nice to have the proper timing to do it right. But the timing for me might not be the same timing as the football club.

“We have to put a new pitch down that comes at a great expense. We've then got to go and get other training facilities which comes at an expense. So it may well be that it is taken out of my hands. I’ve not had an indication of that at all. It's never been spoken about. But you don't have to be the brains of Britain to understand that we have to get a pitch that will cost over a million pounds. And then there's the training ground factor to put into that. I think Barney’s value will be a great deal. It's a great credit to the boy. He's got the tools. He's raw and he's a bit green and there's a wee bit left to improve upon. But at his age, the raw material is there to go high.”

Stewart is part of the latest Scotland under-21s squad having made his debut during the last international break. The former Heriot-Watt University player is likely to lead the line for Scot Gemmill’s side as they take on Czechia and Portugal in two key UEFA European Championship qualifiers. He joins team-mate Connor Allan in the 23-strong group. And with Filip Fillip called up to the Czech squad for the first time - Falkirk will have four players on international duty with Scott Bain hoping to earn the No 1 spot in the senior Scotland squad.

International call-ups highlight Falkirk’s progress

“If we turn the clock, we couldn’t buy a skip cap yet alone an international cap!,” McGlynn joked. “To have our players go and represent their country is amazing, absolutely amazing. To have Connor Allan and Big Barney in the Scotland under-21s, Scotty (Bain) in the full squad and Filip Lissah in Czechia’s under-21 squad. To have four players, and one or two of the other ones, knocking on the door too, is brilliant.”

Stewart was tipped for a call-up to the Steve Clarke’s squad after netting four top-flight goals in his previous three outings, but McGlynn believes that he is in the right place for now despite the likes of Kris Boyd and James McFadden calling for his inclusion.

The boss added: “I think it would have been a bit early for Barney, to be honest. I think where he is now, in the under-21s, is exactly where he should be. It would have been great and it would certainly have done him no harm whatsoever. But I think if he goes away with the under-21s, and does well then I am sure that Steve Clarke will get good reports about him. Reports will keep coming in about him after the international break. I have no doubt that his time will come.”