Derek McInnes of Hearts, John McGlynn who steers Falkirk, and Gary Naysmith, the boss of League One outfit Stenhousemuir, have all been placed on the shortlist for the Scottish Professional Football League's Manager of the Year honour. The nominations were made in partnership with the Managers and Coaches Association of Scotland, recognising the impressive achievements each coach has delivered during the current campaign.
McInnes finds himself in the spotlight after guiding Heart of Midlothian to a position that has not been seen since the club last contested the Premiership crown in 1966. The Jambos sit three points clear at the summit of the Scottish Premiership and have dominated the league table for the majority of the season. Since taking over the reins last summer, the 54‑year‑old manager has overseen an unbeaten run at Tynecastle Park and the team has suffered only four defeats across all competitions. This remarkable consistency has propelled Hearts to the brink of a historic title and earned McInnes a well‑deserved place among the year’s elite managers.
John McGlynn, meanwhile, is chasing an unprecedented third straight Manager of the Year award after securing the accolade in both 2024 and 2025. His stewardship of Falkirk has taken the Bairns to new heights. After back‑to‑back promotions, the club made an immediate impact upon returning to the top flight, clinching a top‑six finish in their first season back in the Scottish Premiership. McGlynn’s ability to maintain momentum, integrate youthful talent, and adapt tactically against more established sides has been widely praised and positions him as a strong contender for another consecutive honour.
Gary Naysmith has also impressed admirers with his work at Stenhousemuir. Under his guidance the team has become a fortress at home, remaining unbeaten at their League One ground throughout the season.
The Scottish League One side have shown resilience and a clear identity, attributes that have not gone unnoticed by the awards panel. Beyond the men’s game, the shortlist also reflects the growing prominence of women’s football in Scotland.
Hearts’ women’s squad, led by Eva Olid, appears on the SWPL shortlist, sitting two points clear at the top of the table and poised to claim the league title for the first time. Glasgow City, currently second, have Leanne Ross nominated for the managerial award after a successful transition from a decorated playing career—13 titles as a player—to a promising coaching tenure.
Gary Holt, who took charge of Partick Thistle in November after spells at Kilmarnock, Falkirk and Livingston, rounds out the women’s managerial nominees. The awards ceremony will also celebrate individual player achievements. Hearts forwards Claudio Braga and Lawrence Shankland are battling Elijah Just and Tawanda Maswanhise of Motherwell for the PFA Scotland Player of the Year trophy. In the young‑player category, Rangers’ Mikey Moore joins the likes of Falkirk’s Barney Stewart, Arbroath’s Findlay Marshall and Dundee’s Luke Graham.
The women's player and young‑player categories feature Glasgow City’s Lee Gibson and Nicole Kozlova, Hearts’ Georgia Timms, Rangers’ Katie Wilkinson, as well as promising talents such as Laura Berry, May Cruft, Rosie Livingstone and 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 includes striking efforts 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’ duo Jayden Meghoma and Youssef Chermiti. Supporters can view all twelve goals and cast their vote via the official voting page.
In addition to the accolades, the SPFL continues to engage supporters with interactive experiences. A free entry Super 6 competition offers a chance to win a £250,000 prize pool, encouraging fans to stay involved as the season reaches its climax. The league also provides live streaming options, a free highlights service, and a regularly updated live table to keep followers informed of the ever‑shifting standings. Overall, the nominations underscore a season of remarkable managerial performances across both the men’s and women’s divisions.
Whether it is McInnes’s title‑challenging campaign with Hearts, McGlynn’s rapid ascent with Falkirk, or Naysmith’s home‑ground dominance with Stenhousemuir, each nominee has demonstrated tactical acumen, leadership, and the ability to inspire their squads to exceed expectations. The upcoming awards ceremony will celebrate these achievements and highlight the continued growth and excitement of Scottish football at all levels.