This season has delivered many twists and turns—Hearts leading the way at the top of the table, Falkirk securing top-six football, and both Old Firm teams underdelivering. However, one of the biggest stories to come from this season may well be that, for the first time in nearly 13 years, the PFA Scotland Premiership Player of the Year nominations do not feature any Old Firm players.
The four nominees for this highly coveted award come from both Hearts and Motherwell: Lawrence Shankland and Claudio Braga of Hearts, as well as Tawanda Maswanhise and Elijah Just of Motherwell.
In my opinion, these four players are more than deserving of this level of recognition—they have been standout performers from the first whistle and look to maintain their impeccable form until the closing days.
Now, you may be wondering how voting works for this award, so let me break it down. Footballers who are members of the PFA (Professional Footballers’ Association) are the only people who are allowed to vote for fellow professionals. However, there is one caveat to this voting system—you can’t vote for a player at your own club. So, the four players listed above have received the most votes from their fellow professionals, with the winner announced on Sunday, 3rd May, at the awards night.
The all-important question remains: who looks set to take home the trophy? Well, only time will tell, but in the meantime, let’s break down their stats.
Every season, Lawrence Shankland crops up with plenty of goals, and this season he has been pivotal for Hearts—not only as a prolific goalscorer but also as their captain. He has proven himself to most definitely be a man who leads from the front.
Despite a few injury setbacks this season, Shankland has scored 13 goals in 25 SPFL matches, a rather impressive feat. He’s not only a top finisher but also, on occasion, knows how to create for teammates, with five assists so far.
Shankland is the prime example of a leader—someone who shows passion for his club and is vocal on the pitch—but when he was sidelined, it was clear Hearts missed their main man. When Shankland was not in the squad, Hearts were on the receiving end of four defeats, compared to just one when he was in the starting 11.
Having returned from injury in the nick of time he could be set to captain Hearts to their first Scottish Premiership title since 1966—pending all things going Hearts’ way.
Fellow teammate Claudio Braga, much like Shankland, definitely knows his route to goal and is currently pipping his captain to the post as Hearts’ top scorer. Braga has scored 14 goals so far this season, with five assists also under his belt.
The Portuguese player has also been a standout candidate this season and, whilst Shankland was sidelined, stepped up to the plate and helped to lead the front line. The 26-year-old will be keen to continue his fine form in front of goal and hopefully pick up the crown of top scorer for Hearts.
Travelling from Edinburgh to Motherwell, we have our final two nominees for the award. Motherwell frontman Tawanda Maswanhise has been the striker the Steelmen were craving—a true goalscorer, someone who is always on their toes waiting for their chance to strike, and striking has become Maswanhise’s common trait.
The Zimbabwean international currently sits in pole position as the SPFL’s top scorer this season, with 17 league goals. Having only missed five games this season, he averages a goal nearly every two games.
The striker, much like Shankland, has also been known to turn provider, setting up a further five goals this season.
Maswanhise has been crucial to Motherwell’s campaign and helped their case in securing top-six football. But he’s not the only Motherwell candidate with his eye on the prize—midfielder Elijah Just may be aiming to cap off his first Premiership campaign with the Player of the Year award.
Just has very possibly been the standout player in the whole the SPFL. He’s kicked his first season of Scottish football off with a bang and looks destined for a summer transfer, with interest in the New Zealand international mounting.
Despite not wearing the badge as top goalscorer—though his seven goals and eight assists may beg to differ—he is Mr Reliable. On many occasions, he has cropped up when Motherwell needed him most. His all-round play is what other players should aspire to achieve. His tenacious work off the ball, relentless attitude, and clear desire to succeed have made him a Motherwell fan favourite.
With the awards night fast approaching, I would hate to call who could be crowned champion. All four nominees are deserving in their own right, but Sunday night will blow the final whistle on the PFA Scotland Premiership Player of the Season.
I have a keen interest in sport journalism and broadcasting.
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