Oxford united FC
Oxford United transfer target Barney Stewart addresses links
The U’s are apparently interested in signing Stewart after a stellar spell up front for the Bairns after returning from a successful loan at Dunfermline Athletic in the Championship.
After scoring at a rate of a goal every 90 minutes for Dunfermline, Falkirk recalled the 22-year-old who has scored 10 goals in 21 games for the club since his January return, including a hattrick in a 4-1 win against Hibernian.
After a bid was rejected by Championship survivors West Bromwich Albion, interest has sprouted in Stewart from newly-promoted Lincoln City and recently-relegated United, according to Football Insider.
The youngster joined Falkirk in 2024 after playing in the lower tiers of Scottish football with Heriot-Watt University.
He was a trainee with English Championship club Queens Park Rangers with the Scotland Under-21 international having been born and raised in London, whilst also playing rugby union, Gaelic football, and tennis as a teenager.
Oxford are also reportedly interested in Stewart’s Falkirk teammate Liam Henderson alongside League One rivals Plymouth Argyle.
Speaking at the Scottish Football Writer’s Awards, Stewart responded to rumours linking him away from the Central Lowlands of Scotland.
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“Listen it is not for me to say, I have only been in the football game a season and a half,” the six foot two striker said.
“Everything is new to me, every bit of a rumour, anything is new.
“It is a lot to take in but it is the summer holidays now and I am going to enjoy that and let whatever happens happen in the background.
“It is insane. If it was to happen it would be a massive step and a quick rise if it does happen and one I would have to take in my stride, but speculation is speculation.”
Stewart signed a contract extension with the Bairns back in January, elongating his stay until 2028 with the option of a further year, meaning a fee would be required to pry the centre forward away from the SPL.
After his standout displays this year, Stewart had emerged as an outside shout to be included in the Scotland national team squad for this year’s FIFA World Cup squad, but missed out with the selection announced on Tuesday.
Oxford have three striker choices for next season.
Mark Harris, Nik Prelec, and 21-year-old Gatlin O’Donkor are all contracted to the club with it currently unclear who will be the first-choice centre forward for Matt Bloomfield next season.
The former duo both failed to make big impacts in the Championship and fans have called for a new starting striker after loan star Will Lankshear returned to Tottenham Hotspur at the end of the recent season.
The U’s have been handed a home draw with the Boro in their first FA Cup fixture of the season.
Oxford have not played in this round of the competition since 2023 when they were last in League One.
Aaron Ramsey’s side have faced Stevenage once already this season, winning 2-1 at the Broadhall Way in their second game of the league season.
The Yellows lie eighth in the table at the time of the draw and are set to face Wigan Athletic on Tuesday night at the Kassam Stadium.
Alex Revell’s Stevenage sit 12th in the table after a middling start to the season.
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Last season, Oxford reached the fourth round of the historic cup competition, beating MK Dons away on penalties when entering in the third round before losing 1-0 to Premier League side Sunderland at home in the fifth round.
The match will be Ramsey’s first in the competition as manager after winning the tournament three FA Cup titles with Arsenal as a player.
Oxford’s best run in the competition came in the 1963/64 season when they reached the quarter-finals, becoming the first ever Fourth Division club to do so.
Meanwhile, Oxford City are set to face former Premier League and FA Cup champions Leicester City at the MGroup Stadium.
Oxford United supporters travelling to the stadium for the match against Wigan Athletic on Tuesday, October 20, are being told to allow extra time for their journeys due to ongoing works.
There are no changes to the usual travel arrangements, and no road closures are in place.
However, diversions will remain in place after the match on the roundabouts at Grenoble Road to help manage traffic flow.
Roadworks and temporary traffic lights on Watlington Road at the roundabout with Grenoble Road are causing significant delays.
Fans are encouraged to avoid the area if possible and allow extra time for their journey.
Away supporters are also advised to consider alternative routes to the stadium.
The club said: “Please plan your journey in advance and allow extra time when travelling to and from the stadium.”
The U’s drew 1-1 with Mansfield Town last Thursday in a chaotic game which saw two Oxford players sent off.
Luka Lynch’s wonder goal from the edge of the box put the Yellows ahead before Peter Kioso was dismissed for an alleged dive in the second half resulting in a second yellow card.
Mansfield then equalised before Gatlin O’Donkor was sent off for a second yellow.
Oxford face strugglers Wigan Athletic, who sit bottom of the table, on Tuesday night as they look to extend their League One unbeaten run to six matches.
In his preview of the midweek fixture, Ramsey confirmed that Aidomo Emakhu is ready to play after his two-month long absence: “He’s available.
“Obviously we’ve got a decision to make now.
“But for me, I know we’ve got a real competitive squad. No problems with whoever comes in at all.”
Emakhu’s return coincides with the suspension of fellow forward O’Donkor and comes at a good time for Oxford.
The chaos that ensued last week at the One Call Stadium was frustrating, with the U’s head coach disagreeing with the first red card decision.
Amongst all the controversy, Ramsey remained calm on the touchline, with his side going on to see out a draw with a resolute, nine-man defensive performance in the final stages.
When asked about his demeanour during games, the 35-year-old said: “My stance doesn’t change.
“I was obviously very frustrated. That decision ultimately cost us the game really.
“The decision has been made. What are you going to do? Just rile yourself up for no particular reason?
“I want my team to still be in control of the situation, even though there’s a lot of chaos going on around. Because there’s still a job to be done at the end of the day.
“There are a lot of distractions on the pitch and frustrations and things like that. For me, you have to remain calm in those situations.
“Otherwise, things just spiral out of control.
“Of course, we’re all frustrated, for sure. But you have to still do a job in those moments and try and have that blue head in those really heated periods in games.
“For me, there will be a moment as well where something has to be done and there will be some different reactions. But in general, I want us to be in control of what we do.
“Some moments in the game that are required where you need your full concentration.
“What good is that if you’re still complaining about things?”
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