Falkirk forward Barney Stewart up for PFA Scotland young player of the year award

Falkirk forward Barney Stewart has been nominated for the PFA Scotland Young Player of the Year award after scoring impressive goal returns in the Scottish Championship and Scottish Premiership this season.

The 22-year-old striker, who was playing for Heriot-Watt University in the East of Scotland First Division just two years ago, has enjoyed a breakout campaign. First on loan at second-tier Dunfermline Athletic and then with the Bairns in the top flight from January onwards.

Having come back from an injury suffered in pre-season, Scotland U21 star Stewart earned a maiden national team call-up after netting six times in 11 Championship appearances out on loan at Neil Lennon’s side. He then returned to Falkirk and immediately earned a starting spot.

Stewart announced himself to the Premiership in late January - scoring a hat-trick in a 4-1 win over Hibs. He has now scored eight goals in just 14 top-flight outings. Stewart was named last month’s William Hill Premiership player of the month.

He’s now up for the top young player prize, which is decided by his fellow professionals who vote for the winners of each category. Stewart is up against former Falkirk loanee and Dundee defender Luke Graham, Rangers winger Mikey Moore and Arbroath ace Findlay Marshall for the gong.