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. Instead, the four nominees are Claudio Braga and Lawrence Shankland from Hearts, alongside Motherwell’s Elijah Just and Tawanda Maswanhise. The award is decided by a vote of the league’s own players, making it a true peer‑recognition honour.
Hearts sit at the summit of the Scottish Premiership, three points clear of Celtic, while Rangers trail by an additional point after a recent defeat to the Steelmen. The Jambos’ strong position has been bolstered by the contributions of the two nominated forwards.
Braga, who arrived at Hearts during the summer transfer window, has quickly become the club’s leading marksman. The Portuguese striker has found the net 14 times and supplied five assists, appearing in every one of the 34 league fixtures to date. His consistent performances have helped Hearts maintain their title charge.
Lawrence Shankland, the captain of Hearts, is a familiar face in the award conversation, having secured the Player of the Year trophy in 2024. Despite missing a spell of the campaign due to injury, Shankland has still managed 13 goals in 25 league appearances, demonstrating his resilience and importance to the side’s attacking play. Motherwell’s Elijah Just has been a revelation since his arrival at Fir Park. The New Zealand winger has contributed seven goals and eight assists across 31 Premiership matches, playing a pivotal role in Motherwell’s climb to fourth place in the table.
His creativity and work rate have added a new dimension to the team’s forward thrust. The fourth nominee, Tawanda Maswanhise, has emerged as the league’s top scorer at the time of writing, with 17 goals in 31 games. The 23‑year‑old joined Motherwell in 2024 and has flourished under the guidance of new manager Jens Berthel Askou, a stark contrast to the previous season when he managed only five goals. Maswanhise’s clinical finishing and intelligent movement have made him a constant threat to opposition defences.
Beyond the four front‑line nominees, the shortlist also includes a number of noteworthy players from across the Scottish football pyramid. Barney Stewart, a 22‑year‑old who broke through at Falkirk after a loan spell at Dunfermline, has already recorded eight Premiership goals for the Bairns, having previously scored six for the Pars in the Championship.
His rapid rise from university football to top‑flight scoring highlights his determination and talent. From the Championship, 19‑year‑old Arbroath midfielder Findlay Marshall is the sole nominee outside the Premiership.
Marshall has tallied 11 goals and two assists, helping his part‑time side secure a place in the promotion play‑offs. His attacking contributions from midfield have been instrumental in Arbroath’s successful campaign. Defender Luke Graham has enjoyed a standout season with Dundee, anchoring the back line and starting 33 of the club’s 34 league matches. His consistency and defensive acumen have earned him recognition among his peers.
Rangers’ on‑loan winger Mikey Moore, only 18 years old, is the youngest nominee on the list. After a gradual adaptation period following his move from Tottenham Hotspur, Moore has become a key figure for manager Danny Röhl, contributing six goals and two assists as Rangers push the title race. 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 features a young‑player shortlist that includes Rangers’ Laura Berry and May Cruft, 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 to a dramatic close, fans are invited to vote for their favourite Scottish Premiership goal of the season. The shortlist of twelve spectacular strikes includes Marko Lazetic (Aberdeen), Reo Hatate (Celtic), Callum McGregor (Celtic), Hyun‑Jun Yang (Celtic), Sebastian Tounekti (Celtic), Ethan Hamilton (Dundee), Zac Sapsford (Dundee United), Kyrell Wilson (Falkirk), Alex Kyziridis (Hearts), Ben Brannan (Kilmarnock), and Rangers duo Jayden Meghoma and Youssef Chermiti.
Supporters can view all twelve videos and cast their vote for the most memorable goal. Beyond the individual accolades, the season has also seen exciting off‑field promotions, including a chance to win £250,000 in the Super 6 competition, with free entry available to fans. The lack of Old Firm nominees this year underscores a shifting balance of power in Scottish football, as clubs like Hearts and Motherwell produce standout talent capable of challenging the traditional dominance of Celtic and Rangers. The upcoming votes and awards will not only celebrate individual excellence but also highlight the growing competitiveness and depth of the Scottish leagues.