In Profile: Ross Stewart
With 70 appearances and 36 goals in the Championship, Ross Stewart comes in as a potent attacking option for Russell Martin, swapping Sunderland for Saints.
The Scottish 27-year-old spent his youth career with Ardeer Thistle and Kilwinning Rangers, before making the step up to senior football at Albion Rovers. Joining for the 2016/17 season, Stewart made nine appearances and scored four in Scottish League One, as well as making appearances in the Scottish FA Cup.
A step up to the Scottish Championship saw Stewart join St Mirren, scoring on his debut in the Scottish League Cup against Stranraer at Stair Park.
In search of regular first team football, Stewart then joined Alloa Athletic on loan in December 2017, helping the side confirm their place in the Scottish Championship via the play-offs, scoring three in those key games against Dumbarton and Raith Rovers.
The striker continued his promotion-winning form after making the move across to Ross County, as the side confirmed their place in the Scottish Premiership ahead of the 2019/20 season.
Signing off his time at Ross County with 63 appearances and scoring 15 goals in all competitions, Stewart then headed south, joining English outfit Sunderland in January 2021.
A flying start to his time Wearside, Stewart netted against Accrington Stanley just 17 minutes into his first appearance in March 2021.
Becoming a pivotal player in the Black Cats’ attack, the Scotsman was affectionately nicknamed the ‘Loch Ness Drogba’ by fans, in reference to prolific Chelsea FC striker Didier Drogba.
His aforementioned attacking prowess was key in the 2021/22 League One season, as he racked up 24 goals across 46 games with Sunderland heading into the play-offs; he scored the winner against Sheffield Wednesday in the home leg, before extending their lead to 2-0 in the final against Wycombe Wanderers.
His performances in a Sunderland shirt saw Stewart receive his first Scotland cap in a 2-0 Nations League win against Armenia in June 2022.
Speaking about representing his country for the first time, he commented:
“It's obviously a really proud moment, I'm delighted to get my debut and to get it in a game that has importance on it and one that we went on to win makes it even better, and overall it was just a really proud night.
“It's an incredible experience to be in with the boys and it is probably this camp that I have really started to settle, and I have thoroughly enjoyed it.
"It's great to finally come on and play minutes on the pitch because that's what you want to do as a player, and hopefully I can continue to do that."
