Derek McInnes of Heart of Midlothian, John McGlynn who steers Falkirk, and Gary Naysmith, the man at the helm of League One outfit Stenhousemuir, have all been placed on the shortlist for the SPFL Manager of the Year accolade. The nomination comes in partnership with the Managers and Coaches Association of Scotland, which highlighted McInnes for the remarkable job he has done in taking Hearts to the verge of a league crown that has eluded the club since 1966.
The Hearts side, affectionately known as the Jambos, sit three points clear at the summit of the Scottish Premiership and have dominated the league for the majority of the campaign. Since taking over in the summer of last year, the 54‑year‑old McInnes has overseen an unbeaten run at Tynecastle Park and has suffered only four defeats across all competitions this season, a record that underscores his tactical acumen and ability to get the best out of his squad. John McGlynn, meanwhile, is chasing an unprecedented third straight Manager of the Year award after securing the honour in both 2024 and 2025.
His work with Falkirk has been nothing short of transformational. After guiding the Bairns to consecutive promotions, McGlynn led them to a top‑six finish in their first season back in the Scottish Premiership, a feat that many pundits had written off as unrealistic.
The consistency of Falkirk’s performances under his direction, combined with an attractive brand of football, has cemented his reputation as one of Scotland’s most promising managerial talents. Gary Naysmith’s impact at Stenhousemuir has also drawn attention. The former professional player has turned the League One side into a formidable force at home, keeping the club unbeaten on their own turf throughout the season.
His ability to organise a tight defensive unit while encouraging attacking flair has resulted in a string of impressive results that have lifted Stenhousemuir into the conversation for promotion. Beyond the three nominees, the announcement also referenced a host of other news items from the Scottish football scene.
The Scottish Premiership table remains a live fixture, and fans are encouraged to stream matches without a contract and watch free highlights to keep up with the fast‑moving drama. In the lower divisions, the Warriors—Inverness Caledonian Thistle—are sitting just two points behind the leaders with one game left, eyeing promotion to the Scottish Championship for the first time in their history. On the women’s side, Hearts have a strong showing as well, with Eva Olid appearing on the SWPL shortlist. The club currently leads the women’s league by two points and is poised to claim its maiden title.
Glasgow City occupy second place, and their coach Leanne Ross is also nominated, seeking a second league trophy after a distinguished playing career that included 13 victories for the club. Former Kilmarnock and Falkirk midfielder Gary Holt rounds out the shortlist after steering Partick Thistle to a top‑six finish in the SWPL, having taken over the Jags in November. The PFA Scotland awards are also in the spotlight, with Hearts forwards Claudio Braga and Lawrence Shankland battling Motherwell’s Elijah Just and Tawanda Maswanhise for the Player of the Year honor. In the young player category, Rangers’ Mikey Moore joins the list alongside Falkirk’s Barney Stewart, Arbroath’s Findlay Marshall and Dundee’s Luke Graham.
The women’s player and young player nominees feature Glasgow City’s Lee Gibson and Nicole Kozlova, Hearts’ Georgia Timms, and Rangers’ Katie Wilkinson, while the young‑player prize also includes Rangers’ Laura Berry and May Cruft, Hibernian’s Rosie Livingstone, and Glasgow City’s Lisa Forrest. As the 2025/26 season draws to a dramatic close, fans are invited to vote for the Scottish Premiership Goal of the Season. The shortlist showcases a blend of seasoned internationals and emerging talents: 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’ dynamic duo Jayden Meghoma and Youssef Chermiti. Supporters can view all twelve contenders and cast their votes via the provided link.
In addition to the footballing action, the announcement promotes a Super 6 competition offering a £250,000 prize, with free entry available for those who wish to try their luck. This blend of on‑field achievements and off‑field engagement reflects the vibrant and inclusive nature of Scottish football, where managers, players, and fans alike are celebrated for their contributions to the sport. The nominations for Manager of the Year underscore the high standards set by McInnes, McGlynn and Naysmith, each of whom has demonstrated exceptional leadership, strategic insight, and a commitment to elevating their clubs within the competitive landscape of Scottish football.