Scotland star released by club on eve of World Cup opener

Scotland striker Ross Stewart has been released by Championship club Southampton as he prepares for his country’s World Cup opener.

The 29-year-old joined the south coast club in 2023 and went on to score 12 goals in 50 appearances.

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However, the Saints have opted against extending the striker’s contract, bringing an end to his time at the club.

Stewart’s focus will now be on this weekend’s World Cup clash with Haiti, despite the need to find a new club.

Scotland are vying for a strong start to the group stage with tougher tests to follow in Morocco and Brazil.

Stewart has featured three times for his country but is yet to break his scoring duck.

Other names departing St Mary’s

Joining Stewart out of the St Mary’s exit door is Oriol Romeu, Will Smallbone and Alex McCarthy.

Joe Aribo, Jamie Jones and Charlie Taylor will also depart the club when their contracts expire at the end of June.

Republic of Ireland international Smallbone will bid farewell to Southampton after 18 years at the club.

The midfielder came through the youth ranks at St Mary’s having initially joined the club at the age of eight.

He went on to make 90 first-team appearances and was part of the 2024 Championship play-off final winning side.

Meanwhile, goalkeeper McCarthy brings down the curtain on a ten-year stint at the club having clocked up 165 appearances.

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Like Smallbone, McCarthy helped the Saints gain promotion to the Premier League two years ago and played a key part in their Wembley triumph.

Aribo, who spent part of last season on loan at Leicester, leaves later this month having clocked up 11 appearances in four years.

And cult hero Romeu departs St Mary’s for the second time in his career following his emotional return to the club in 2025.

The 34-year-old managed just seven appearances last season but played an important role in the dressing room.

Addressing the glut of departures, a Southampton statement read: “The club would like to place on record its gratitude for the effort and commitment shown during their time as Saints.

“We wish them all the best for what comes next in their careers.”