For the first time since the 2012‑13 season, the PFA Scotland Premiership Player of the Year shortlist contains no representatives from the traditional powerhouses Celtic or Rangers. Instead, the four nominees this year are Hearts forwards Claudio Braga and Lawrence Shankland, alongside Motherwell’s dynamic winger Elijah Just and prolific striker Tawanda Maswanhise.
The award is decided by a vote of all players competing in the Scottish top flight, making it a true peer‑recognition of excellence. Hearts sit at the summit of the Premiership table, three points clear of Celtic, while Rangers trail by a further point after a disappointing loss to Motherwell on Sunday.
The Jambo side have benefited from the form of their attacking duo, and both Braga and Shankland have been instrumental in keeping Hearts in contention for the title. Claudio Braga, the Portuguese forward who arrived at Hearts during the summer transfer window, 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 adding five assists. His consistent presence and goal‑scoring instinct have helped Hearts maintain their unbeaten run for much of the campaign and have cemented his status as a fan favourite.
Lawrence Shankland, the Scottish striker who captured the Player of the Year accolade in 2024, has once again demonstrated why he is regarded as one of the league’s most lethal finishers. Despite missing a spell of the season through injury, he returned to action with a vengeance, netting 13 times in 25 league appearances. His physicality, movement off the ball and clinical finishing have been vital for Hearts, especially in matches where the team needed a decisive breakthrough. Elijah Just, the New Zealand winger who signed for Motherwell earlier in his career, has been a revelation on the right flank.
Over the course of 31 Premiership matches he has contributed seven goals and eight assists, providing both a creative spark and a goal threat. His pace, crossing ability and work rate have propelled Motherwell into fourth place, and his performances have drawn attention from clubs across Europe.
Tawanda Maswanhise, the 23‑year‑old striker who joined Motherwell in 2024, has enjoyed a breakout season under the guidance of new manager Jens Berthel Askou. After scoring only five goals in the previous campaign, Maswanhise has surged to the top of the league’s scoring charts with 17 goals in 31 games.
His improvement has been attributed to a combination of increased confidence, tactical adjustments that play to his strengths, and a more supportive midfield that supplies him with quality chances. Beyond the four nominees, the shortlist also features several notable players from across the Scottish football landscape.
Barney Stewart, a 22‑year‑old forward who broke through at Falkirk after a loan spell at Dunfermline, has already recorded eight Premiership goals for the Bairns, having previously netted six for the Pars in the Championship. His rapid rise from university football to the top tier exemplifies the depth of talent emerging in Scotland. Arbroath midfielder Findlay Marshall, the sole nominee from outside the Premiership, has been a standout performer in the Championship.
At just 19, he has scored 11 goals and delivered two assists, playing a crucial role in his part‑time side’s push for a place in the promotion play‑offs. His contributions highlight the quality present in the lower divisions and the potential for future moves to the top flight. Defender Luke Graham has been a pillar of consistency for Dundee, starting 33 of their 34 league matches. His defensive reliability, aerial prowess, and ability to organise the back line 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 slow adjustment period following his transfer from Tottenham Hotspur, Moore has become a key player for Danny Röhl’s side, tallying six goals and two assists. His youthful energy and flair have added an extra dimension to Rangers’ attack as they chase 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 representatives 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 back in third place. 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 striking moments 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.
View all twelve goals and cast your vote to celebrate the most spectacular finish of the campaign. Finally, a reminder that the Super 6 competition offers a chance to win a £250,000 prize. Entry is free, and participants can test their knowledge of Scottish football while potentially walking away with a life‑changing sum.