Ross Stewart has hailed the impact Jermain Defoe has had on the Sunderland dressing room since returning to the Stadium of Light in January. Stewart was rewarded for his fine form this season with his first call-up to the Scotland squad after netting 22 goals so far this campaign.
The 25-year-old admits he's learned a lot from the former England international in his short time at the club, despite being in the twilight period of his career . Stewart reveals the pair have been 'close' since Defoe's return to Wearside and the former Tottenham striker has taken him under his wing.
Defoe is yet to score for Sunderland since his return to Wearside, but part of that has been down to the form of Stewart. The Sunderland striker has not been capped by his country at any level, but is in line to make an appearance over the course of the international break.
Speaking to the Daily Record, Stewart said: “JD and I have got on really well since he has come in. We have been quite close.
“It is good to pick his brain on different things and just to watch him train every day is great because you learn so much from him. He has done it throughout his career and so when he did come in I knew it was such a good opportunity for me to learn from him and to add to my own game, knowing he has been there and done it at the highest level.
"He has helped me so much. He is always telling me to be selfish, follow things in and get in positions where you can score. All the boys in the dressing room look up to him. He is also still in great shape.”
Stewart's ascendency to the international scene has been nothing short of remarkable and his parents, Cameron and Sandra, have been with him every step of the way. The Sunderland striker said: "I think my mum and dad were in as much shock as I was when I told them. I owe a lot to them for this happening. It was just a really proud moment for me in general.
"My parents will be at the game on Thursday and they come down to watch me quite a lot. I think a lot of my other family and mates will also come along."
There had been murmurings that Stewart was in consideration for an international call-up, but that phone call remained elusive throughout the campaign, despite his fine form. Nonetheless, the consensus on Wearside was it was only a matter of time before Steve Clarke came calling.
The Irvine-born striker said: “I have never been close at all. I had a wee look when squads were announced but only because I am a big Scotland fan and the team have done very well over the last few years.
“The standard of the squad has been really high and this one is no different. It will be good to train with the squad. We have so many top players and professionals and it will be good to see them up close and to learn from them.”
There had been a concern that the standard of League One was not up to scratch in order to earn a call-up. Stewart explained: “I tried not to focus on that too much. I try to do well for Sunderland and then you just hope an international call-up comes about.
“I feel I have had a good season. I have scored a good number of goals and I am pleased with how I have done although I still want to add to that tally between now and the end of the season.
“It is great to get this recognition. It shows I must be doing something right and I am really looking forward to the next week or so that is ahead. I can’t wait for it.”
Stewart is no stranger to the home of Scottish football, and has in fact scored at Hampden Park in a previous visit with Albion Rovers, a 2-1 defeat against Queen's Park.
The good thing is that Stewart has already scored at Hampden – albeit in very different circumstances to his next visit. The Black Cats striker admits scoring for his country is a moment he's always dreamed of but knows it will be a different occasion all together.
He said: “I have played once at Hampden. That was for Albion Rovers against Queen’s Park in front of about 600 people.
“That is the only time but funnily enough I managed to score that day. It was my first experience of Hampden but even playing in the stadium when there weren’t a lot of fans was amazing.
“You always dream you can do it again in a bigger game in the future and if I got my chance with Scotland and managed to score then that would be an absolute dream come true. It will be a lot different on Thursday. The stadium will be near full and I know the standard of the game will be a lot better as well.”
Stewart could line-up against one of the best strikers in world football when Robert Lewandowksi and his Polish counterparts head to Glasgow.
Stewart, with a smile, admitted; “I know, I haven’t really thought about that too much. He is one of the best No 9s in Europe and when you step up to the international level that is the sort of quality you are competing against.
“I just can’t wait. I am looking forward to it and the whole experience is something I will never forget.”
