The Loch Ness Drogba: Ross Stewart's Rise Is Parallel To Sunderland's

The striker has been involved eight goals so far this season, scoring five
16:00, 01 Sep 2022

A few days ago, it seemed as though Sunderland’s season was thrown into disarray as Alex Neil was lured away from the Stadium of Light by Championship rivals Stoke City. So far though, it's been a case of no Neil, no problem.

The Black Cats recorded an impressive 3-0 victory over Rotherham United on Wednesday night under new boss Tony Mowbray, but all the focus was on the side’s leading man.

Ross Stewart scored twice and assisted the other in an 18-minute period as the striker showed once again his ability to thrive at this level. After seven Championship matches, the Scotsman is the league’s second-highest scorer with five, but it is not just his goalscoring sorcery that allows him to terrorise opposition defences. He is brilliantly physical, despite not being the bulkiest of centre-forwards, and he uses his height well, while his ability with the ball at his feet confounds his markers.

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When the 26-year-old arrived on Wearside in 2021 from Ross County, no one would have ever expected him to have the impact that he has had for Sunderland. It is always viewed as a massive leap to come from the Scottish Leagues to the Football League but after six months of settling into his new surroundings, the forward was unleashed upon the third tier in 2021-22.

Through his tenacious work rate, clinical finishing and composure, he scored 24 goals in League One to fire Sunderland into the play-offs, where he scored three more times to help fire the club back to the Championship after a four-year absence. His outstanding contributions earned him the hearts and minds of the Mackems who subsequently crowned him the ‘Loch Ness Drogba’ - an ode to former Chelsea goalscorer Didier Drogba. There is something unique about him in the way he plays and that is why you expected him to do well in the Championship.

Despite Sunderland being one of English football’s most historic and decorated clubs, when you excel in the lower leagues, there are vultures always sniffing around your best assets. Stewart had been subject to interest from both Rangers and Swansea City this summer, with the former offering a crack at European football. 

The player has been scouted by numerous clubs up and down the country over the past year and more eyes will soon turn to him given his excellent form continuing. For now at least, the interest doesn’t seem to have fazed him as he is continuing to give his all in a red and white shirt, delivering time and again. Not bad for a £300k investment.

Along with his teammates, he has forged a strong connection with the fan base, something that hasn’t happened for several years, and it is not surprising to see that Stewart and his team have had a bright start back in the second tier. Stewart has developed a strong partnership up top with loanee Ellis Simms and both have been involved in 10 of Sunderland’s 11 league goals this term as the club lie eighth - three points behind leaders Sheffield United.

His standout displays and goals record have seen him rewarded with his first international cap. He came off the bench in Scotland's 2-0 Nations League victory over Armenia in June and that was just another excerpt from his incredible rise over the last 18 months.

The biggest concern for Sunderland right now is that Stewart’s current deal expires next June and his profile continues to grow. He is an integral part of their short, medium and long-term future and they cannot afford to lose him. They luckily have a clause to automatically extend his deal by a further 12 months to protect themselves from an unsavoury situation between now and the end of the January transfer window.

His application in games is excellent and his rise has been adjacent to that of the club. His role in the side is too important and yet a fraction of what it can still be. And if the club were to reach the heights of the Premier League once more, you cannot envisage such a scenario without the ‘Loch Ness Drogba’.

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