Ross Stewart's availability for Scotland is under a cloud due to an English Football League rule that has severely limited his playing time at Swansea City. The 30-year-old striker has made just two substitute appearances for the Swans because he does not qualify as a homegrown player under EFL regulations, a situation his manager Vitor Matos described as confusing.
Matos selected Stewart for the bench against West Ham United on 17 October before having to remove him, later explaining the predicament. "That is a homegrown situation, and just because of that, I don't know why, but the Scottish players don't count," the Swansea head coach said. The rule requires clubs to name at least seven homegrown players in their matchday squad, defined as those registered with an English or Welsh club for three seasons or 36 months before turning 21. As Stewart's formative years were spent in Scotland, he is excluded.
Stewart's career path to Swansea
Stewart began his career with Kilwinning Juniors before a £1,500 move to Albion Rovers in the summer of 2016. A prolific spell at Ross County, where he scored 28 goals in three seasons, earned him a £350,000 transfer to Sunderland. He was instrumental in the Black Cats' promotion campaign, netting 26 goals, which led to an £8 million switch to Southampton. After scoring 11 goals for Saints and returning to full fitness in January, he joined Swansea City on a free transfer this summer, only to find his opportunities blocked by the eligibility clause.
What it means for Scotland
The situation places Stewart in a difficult position as Scotland prepare for their next Nations League fixture at home to FYR Macedonia on 13 November. Steve Clarke's side are looking to build on a mixed run of form, having lost 2-1 to Slovenia in their last outing on 6 October. Ryan Christie had given Scotland the lead in that match, but goals from Aljosa Matko and Danijel Sturm turned the game around. That result followed a 2-0 away win over FYR Macedonia, where Kieron Bowie and John McGinn were on target, and means Scotland's recent sequence reads one win, one draw and two defeats.
Stewart was part of Scotland's squad for the World Cup group stage and came off the bench in the 1-0 defeat to Morocco. His lack of club minutes now raises a significant question over his international involvement. With the next squad selection looming, his case highlights an unexpected barrier for Scottish players moving south of the border. The national team's next match is at Hampden Park in under two weeks.
Read the full report at The Scotsman
