It is not only in the Scottish Premiership where emerging talents have showcased their credentials this season. Across the Championship and beyond, young Scots have enjoyed breakout campaigns that point towards bigger things ahead in their careers. Here, we look at six individuals who have caught the eye and now seem set to go from strength to strength.
Barney Stewart
The forward was completely off the radar of senior clubs when he started playing with Heriot-Watt University's side. He caught Falkirk boss John McGlynn's attention and made his debut in January of last year, ahead of the Bairns' promotion to the top flight. Stewart was outstanding for Dunfermline after moving there on loan before Christmas and comfortably made the step up to the Premiership upon returning to his parent club. There is even now talk of making Steve Clarke's World Cup squad. What a story.
Luke Graham
The left-footed centre-half was farmed out by Dundee to Lochee United, Albion Rovers, Montrose, and Falkirk. The benefit of that collective experience has been evident throughout an outstanding campaign with his parent club. Now a regular fixture in the Scotland Under-21 squad, Graham is on the shortlist for the PFA Scotland young player of the year award. Everything points towards a summer move to Rangers.
Robbie Ure
A name which may only be vaguely familiar to Scottish football fans, but one that is growing in stature each week. A product of the Rangers youth system, the striker played a couple of first-team matches in 2022-23 but rejected the offer of a new contract in favour of a switch to Anderlecht's second team. He has since joined Swedish club IK Sirius, where he has enjoyed a flying start to this season with eight goals in nine games. Ure is eligible to play for Scotland or Ukraine.
Ben Stanway
The midfielder has gone up a level with Partick Thistle this season. Calm and brave on the ball, diligent off it, and increasingly demonstrating an eye for goal, he has been the star turn of a Jags side which is now eyeing promotion via the play-offs. His omission from the Scotland Under-21 squad is a source of mystery, but with clubs including Hibs, Aberdeen, and Slask Wroclaw monitoring him ahead of his contract at Firhill expiring this summer, he is not short of admirers.
Jeremiah Chilokoa-Mullen
The impact the defender made at Dunfermline in the latter half of last season made a permanent move to Fife a no-brainer. You could immediately see why he had been in the youth set-ups at Liverpool and Leeds. He has kicked on massively this term after making the move from Elland Road. Chilokoa-Mullen reads the game superbly, uses the ball well, and is tenacious in the tackle. Now a Scotland Under-21 regular, Aberdeen are hot on his trail.
Andrew Tod
The son of former Dunfermline hero Andy and the brother of current Pars player John, Tod has lit up East End Park this season. League One promotion hopefuls Cardiff are among the clubs who have taken notice of Tod's pace, skills, and imagination to turn a game in a flash. Neil Lennon also likes what he sees, as do the Pars fans who are bracing themselves for the play-offs and the Scottish Cup final. No player has done more to put them in that position than Tod.
