For the first time since the 2012‑13 season, the PFA Scotland Premiership Player of the Year shortlist contains no representatives from the traditional giants Celtic or Rangers. Instead, the four nominees are Claudio Braga and Lawrence Shankland of Heart of Midlothian, alongside Motherwell’s rising talents Elijah Just and Tawanda Maswanhise. The award is decided by a vote of the players who compete in Scotland’s top division, making the shortlist a clear reflection of who has impressed peers over the course of the campaign. Hearts sit atop the Scottish Premiership table, three points clear of Celtic, while Rangers trail by a further point after a disappointing loss to Motherwell on Sunday.
The Jambos’ strong position has been bolstered by the contributions of the two nominees from Edinburgh. Braga, who arrived at Hearts in the summer transfer window, has quickly become the club’s leading marksman.
The Portuguese forward has found the net 14 times and added five assists, featuring in every one of Hearts’ 34 league fixtures to date. His consistency and work rate have made him a focal point of the team’s attacking play and a key reason why the club is challenging for the title. Lawrence Shankland, the Scottish striker who captured the Player of the Year award in 2024, is back in the conversation despite a spell on the sidelines due to injury.
Since returning to action, he has contributed 13 goals in 25 league appearances, demonstrating his ability to influence games even when not at full fitness. Shankland’s experience and clinical finishing continue to make him a threat to any defence, and his leadership on the pitch is evident as Hearts maintain their lead at the summit. Motherwell’s nominees bring a different narrative to the shortlist.
New Zealand winger Elijah Just has been a revelation since his arrival at Fir Park. In 31 Premiership matches he has recorded seven goals and eight assists, playing a pivotal role in Motherwell’s climb to fourth place.
His pace, creativity and willingness to track back have added a new dimension to the Steelmen’s style of play, and his performances have not gone unnoticed by the league’s players. The most prolific scorer in the competition, however, is 23‑year‑old Tawanda Maswanhise. The striker joined Motherwell in 2024 and, under the guidance of manager Jens Berthel Askou, has transformed from a modest five‑goal scorer in the previous season to the league’s top marksman with 17 goals in 31 games.
Maswanhise’s sharp movement, finishing ability and confidence in front of goal have made him a constant menace to opposition defences and a vital component of Motherwell’s attacking arsenal. Other notable mentions on the broader PFA Scotland shortlist include several players from outside the Premiership. Arbroath midfielder Findlay Marshall, only 19, is the sole nominee from the Championship. He has already tallied 11 goals and two assists, helping his part‑time side secure a place in the promotion play‑offs.
Defender Luke Graham of Dundee has been a rock at the back, starting 33 of the club’s 34 league games and providing stability in a side that has often been tested by stronger opponents. Rangers, despite having no Player of the Year nominees, do feature on the Young Player shortlist.
On loan from Tottenham Hotspur, 18‑year‑old Mikey Moore has become a key figure for Danny Röhl’s side, contributing six goals and two assists as the Glasgow club pushes the title race. In the women’s game, Glasgow City’s Lee Gibson and Nicole Kozlova have been shortlisted for the SWPL Player of the Year, joining Hearts’ Georgia Timms and Rangers’ forward Katie Wilkinson. The women’s Young Player shortlist also includes Laura Berry and May Cruft, alongside Hibernian’s Rosie Livingstone and Glasgow City’s Lisa Forrest.
As the 2025/26 season approaches its climax, fans are also invited to vote for the Scottish Premiership Goal of the Season. The shortlist features a diverse group of scorers, from Aberdeen’s Marko Lazetic to Celtic’s Reo Hatate, Callum McGregor, Hyun‑Jun Yang and Sebastian Tounekti, as well as 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 watch the twelve nominated goals and cast their votes online. The absence of Old Firm players from the Player of the Year shortlist highlights a shifting balance of power in Scottish football. Hearts’ strong start, Motherwell’s unexpected surge, and the emergence of young talent across both the men’s and women’s leagues suggest a more competitive environment than in recent years. Whether Braga, Shankland, Just or Maswanhise ultimately lifts the trophy, the 2025/26 season will be remembered for its fresh narratives, emerging stars, and the breaking of a decade‑long tradition of Old Firm dominance.