For the first time since the 2013 season, the PFA Scotland Premiership Player of the Year shortlist contains no representatives from either Celtic or Rangers, the two clubs that have traditionally dominated the awards. Instead, the four nominees this year are Hearts forwards Claudio Braga and Lawrence Shankland, alongside Motherwell’s dynamic winger Elijah Just and the prolific striker Tawanda Maswanhise. The award is decided by a vote of the players themselves, meaning that the shortlist reflects the respect and admiration of their peers across the Scottish top flight.
Hearts sit atop the Premiership table, three points clear of Celtic, while Rangers trail by a further point after a recent defeat to Motherwell – the Steelmen – on Sunday. This unusual voting landscape underscores the shifting balance of power in Scottish football, where performances from clubs outside the Old Firm are increasingly being recognised.
Claudio Braga, the Portuguese forward who arrived at Hearts in the summer, has quickly become the club’s leading marksman. He has featured in every one of the 34 league fixtures to date, scoring 14 goals and contributing five assists. His consistent presence and goal‑scoring prowess have been instrumental in keeping Hearts at the summit of the table. Braga’s ability to find space in the box, link play with his teammates, and finish with both feet makes him a genuine threat in any match.
Lawrence Shankland, the captain of Hearts and the 2024 Player of the Year winner, has also enjoyed a strong campaign despite a spell on the sidelines due to injury. Returning to fitness, he has added 13 goals in 25 league appearances to his season tally. Shankland’s leadership on the pitch, combined with his clinical finishing, continues to make him one of the most feared strikers in the league. Elijah Just, the New Zealand winger who joined Motherwell, has been a revelation on the left flank.
In 31 Premiership matches he has recorded seven goals and eight assists, helping Motherwell climb to fourth place in the current standings. His pace, dribbling skill, and eye for a decisive pass have turned him into a constant menace for opposition defenders and a key creative outlet for his team.
Tawanda Maswanhise, the 23‑year‑old forward who signed for Motherwell in 2024, is the league’s top scorer at the moment, having netted 17 goals in 31 games. Under the guidance of new manager Jens Berthel Askou, Maswanhise has transformed from a modest five‑goal scorer last season into a prolific goal‑machine.
His movement off the ball, strength in aerial duels, and composure in front of goal have made him a cornerstone of Motherwell’s attack. Other notable nominees include Barney Stewart, who broke through at Falkirk after a loan spell at Dunfermline. The 22‑year‑old, who was still playing university football just two years ago, has already found the net eight times in the Premiership, having previously scored six for the Pars in the Championship.
His rapid rise highlights the depth of talent emerging from the lower leagues. Arbroath midfielder Findlay Marshall is the sole nominee from outside the top division.
At just 19, he has already tallied 11 goals and two assists, playing a pivotal role in his part‑time Championship side’s push for a place in the promotion play‑offs. His performances demonstrate that quality can be found at every level of Scottish football. Defender Luke Graham has been a stalwart for Dundee, starting 33 of the club’s 34 league games.
His defensive reliability, aerial dominance, and ability to organise the back line have earned him recognition among his peers. Rangers’ on‑loan winger Mikey Moore, only 18, is the youngest nominee on the list. After a slow start following his move from Tottenham Hotspur, Moore has become a vital component of Danny Röhl’s side, contributing six goals and two assists as Rangers battle Hearts and Celtic for the title. 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, alongside Hearts’ Georgia Timms and Rangers’ forward Katie Wilkinson.
Rangers also have two players on the Young Player shortlist – Laura Berry and May Cruft – while Hibernian’s Rosie Livingstone and Glasgow City’s Lisa Forrest round out the nominations. Hearts currently lead the SWPL, two points ahead of Glasgow City, with Rangers a further two points behind in third place, illustrating the competitive nature of the women’s league as well. As the 2025/26 season approaches its climax, fans are invited to vote for their favourite Scottish Premiership goal of the season so far. The shortlist includes spectacular strikes 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’ Jayden Meghoma and Youssef Chermiti.
Supporters can view all twelve goals online and cast their vote for the most memorable. Beyond the football action, there is also a chance to win a share of a £250,000 prize pool by playing the Super 6 competition, which is open to anyone who wishes to enter for free.
This promotion adds an extra layer of excitement for fans following the league’s dramatic finish. Overall, the absence of Old Firm players from the Player of the Year shortlist signals a broader recognition of talent across Scotland’s football landscape. Whether it’s Braga’s consistency, Shankland’s leadership, Just’s creativity, or Maswanhise’s goal‑scoring flair, the nominees embody the quality and competitiveness that make this season uniquely compelling.