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, the two clubs that have traditionally dominated the awards. Instead, the four nominees this year are Hearts forwards Claudio Braga and Lawrence Shankland, alongside Motherwell’s dynamic winger Elijah Just and the prolific striker Tawanda Maswanhise. The award is decided by a vote of all players competing in the Scottish Premiership, making the selection a genuine reflection of peer respect across the league.
Hearts sit comfortably at the summit of the table, three points clear of Celtic, while Rangers trail by a further point after a disappointing defeat to Motherwell on Sunday. The Jambo side’s recent form has been buoyed by the contributions of the two nominated forwards.
Braga, who arrived at Hearts in the summer transfer window, has quickly become the club’s leading marksman. In 34 league appearances this season, the Portuguese attacker has found the back of the net 14 times and added five assists, demonstrating an ability to both finish chances and create opportunities for teammates.
Lawrence Shankland, the club captain, is a familiar face on the shortlist, having won the same accolade in 2024. Despite a spell on the sidelines due to injury, Shankland has returned to full fitness and has already contributed 13 goals in 25 league matches.
His leadership on and off the pitch, combined with his goal‑scoring instincts, have kept Hearts in a strong position to challenge for the title. Motherwell’s Elijah Just, a New Zealand‑born winger, has been a revelation since his arrival. Over the course of 31 Premiership fixtures he has recorded seven goals and eight assists, a direct involvement in 15 of the team’s goals.
His creativity and pace have helped Motherwell climb to fourth place, keeping them firmly in the conversation for European qualification. Equally impressive is 23‑year‑old Tawanda Maswanhise, who joined Motherwell in 2024 and has since surged to the top of the league’s scoring charts.
With 17 goals in 31 games, Maswanhise is the current leading scorer in the Scottish Premiership. The young striker has flourished under the guidance of new manager Jens Berthel Askou, a stark contrast to the five goals he managed in the previous campaign.
His development highlights Motherwell’s successful recruitment strategy and the impact a well‑placed signing can have on a club’s fortunes. The shortlist also includes several notable names from outside the top flight. Arbroath midfielder Findlay Marshall, only 19, is the sole nominee not playing in the Premiership. His 11 goals and two assists have been pivotal in securing the part‑time Championship side’s place in the promotion play‑offs.
Defender Luke Graham has earned recognition for his consistency with Dundee, starting 33 of the club’s 34 league matches and providing a reliable presence at the back. Rangers, despite not having any nominees for the senior Player of the Year award, do feature on the Young Player shortlist. On loan from Tottenham Hotspur, 18‑year‑old winger Mikey Moore has emerged as one of Danny Röhl’s key attacking options, contributing six goals and two assists after a slow start to his Scottish adventure. 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.
The SWPL Young Player shortlist includes Rangers’ Laura Berry and May Cruft, as well as 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 reaches its climax, fans are also being invited to vote for the Scottish Premiership Goal of the Season.
A diverse panel of twelve spectacular strikes is up for consideration, featuring names such as Aberdeen’s Marko Lazetić, Celtic’s Reo Hatate, Callum McGregor, Hyun‑Jun Yang, 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 the nominated goals and cast their vote through the official PFA Scotland platform.
Beyond the awards, the Scottish football community continues to engage fans with interactive experiences, such as the Super 6 competition, which offers a chance to win a £250,000 prize pool. Participation is free, encouraging widespread involvement across the country. Overall, the absence of Old Firm players from the senior Player of the Year shortlist underscores a shift in the competitive balance of Scottish football.
Hearts and Motherwell have demonstrated that with strategic signings, effective coaching, and standout individual performances, clubs outside the traditional powerhouses can contend for both titles and individual honors. The upcoming vote will determine which of these four talented forwards will be crowned the PFA Scotland Premiership Player of the Year, a testament to the depth and growing parity within the league.