For the first time since the 2013 season, the PFA Scotland Premiership Player of the Year shortlist contains no representatives from either of the traditional powerhouses, Celtic or Rangers. Instead, the honour is being contested by a quartet of standout performers from Hearts, Motherwell and the wider Scottish game: forwards Claudio Braga and Lawrence Shankland of Heart of Midlothian, Motherwell’s prolific striker Elijah Just, and the league’s current top‑scorer Tawanda Maswanhise. Hearts sit atop the Scottish Premiership table, three points clear of Celtic, while Rangers trail by a further point after a recent defeat to the Steelmen. The Jambo’s recent form has been driven largely by the contributions of Braga, who arrived at the club over the summer and has quickly become the team’s leading marksman.
The Portuguese forward has featured in every one of Hearts’ 34 league fixtures to date, finding the net 14 times and laying on five assists. His consistency and work rate have made him a central figure in a side that appears poised to break the Old Firm’s long‑standing dominance. Lawrence Shankland, the club captain, is another key contender for the award. Having secured the Player of the Year accolade in 2024, Shankland has once again demonstrated his class despite a period on the sidelines due to injury.
In the 25 league appearances he has made this campaign, he has scored 13 goals, showing an instinct for goal that continues to inspire his teammates and fans alike. Motherwell’s Elijah Just has emerged as a revelation on the wing since his arrival at Fir Park. The New Zealand international has contributed seven goals and eight assists across 31 Premiership matches, playing a pivotal role in propelling the Steelmen to fourth place in the current standings.
His pace, creativity and eye for a pass have added a new dimension to Motherwell’s attacking play, and his performances have not gone unnoticed by the voting players. Perhaps the most striking story of the season is that of Tawanda Maswanhise. The 23‑year‑old striker joined Motherwell in 2024 and, under the guidance of new manager Jens Berthel Askou, has transformed into the league’s leading goal‑scorer, tallying 17 strikes in 31 games. This marks a dramatic improvement from the previous campaign, when he managed only five goals.
Maswanhise’s physical presence, clinical finishing and ability to hold up play have made him a constant threat to opposition defences and a prime candidate for the top individual honour. Beyond the four main nominees, the shortlist also features several noteworthy players from across the Scottish football pyramid. Falkirk’s young forward Barney Stewart, who spent the early part of the season on loan at Dunfermline, broke through with eight Premiership goals for the Bairns after a prolific spell in the Championship.
His rapid rise from university football to the top flight underscores the depth of talent emerging in the lower leagues. Arbroath midfielder Findlay Marshall, the sole nominee from outside the Premiership, has been instrumental in his part‑time Championship side’s push for promotion. At just 19 years old, he has already recorded 11 goals and two assists, helping the club secure a place in the promotion play‑offs and attracting attention from higher‑level clubs. Defender Luke Graham has been a stalwart for Dundee, starting 33 of the club’s 34 league matches and providing a reliable presence at the back.
His consistency and leadership have been vital as Dundee strive to improve their standing in the top tier. Rangers’ on‑loan winger Mikey Moore, the youngest nominee at 18, has turned a slow start into a breakthrough season under manager Danny Röhl.
Moore has contributed six goals and two assists, playing a key role in the club’s challenge for the title despite his recent arrival from Tottenham Hotspur. In the women’s game, Glasgow City’s Lee Gibson and Nicole Kozlova have been shortlisted for the PFA Scotland SWPL Player of the Year award, joining Hearts’ Georgia Timms and Rangers forward Katie Wilkinson.
The SWPL also sees Rangers with two young‑player nominees, while Laura Berry and May Cruft have been recognized alongside Hibernian’s Rosie Livingstone and Glasgow City’s Lisa Forrest. Hearts currently lead the SWPL, two points ahead of Glasgow City, with Rangers a further two points back in third place. As the 2025/26 season draws toward its climax, fans are invited to vote for their favourite Scottish Premiership goal of the season. The shortlist includes striking finishes from Aberdeen’s Marko Lazetic, Celtic’s Reo Hatate, Callum McGregor, Hyun‑Jun Yang and Sebastian Tounekti, Dundee’s Ethan Hamilton, Dundee United’s Zac Sapsford, Falkirk’s Kyrell Wilson, Hearts’ Alex Kyziridis, Kilmarnock’s Ben Brannan, and Rangers’ duo Jayden Meghoma and Youssef Chermiti.
Supporters can view all twelve goals online and cast their votes for the most memorable strike. Beyond the individual accolades, the season has also seen a range of promotional activities, including a Super 6 competition offering a £250,000 prize pool, open for free entry. These initiatives aim to keep fans engaged and reward the excitement that Scottish football continues to deliver, even as the traditional Old Firm dominance appears to be challenged by a new generation of talent.