For the first time since the 2013 season, the PFA Scotland Premiership Player of the Year shortlist contains no representatives from the traditional powerhouses 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 league’s players, making the selection a true peer‑recognition of performance over the campaign.
Hearts currently sit at the summit of the Scottish Premiership, three points clear of Celtic, while Rangers trail by a further point after a recent defeat to Motherwell. The Jambo’s strong position in the table has helped to highlight the contributions of their two nominees.
Braga, a Portuguese forward who arrived at Hearts in the summer, has quickly become the club’s leading scorer. He has featured in every one of the 34 league fixtures to date, finding the net 14 times and adding five assists. His consistency and work‑rate have been vital to Hearts’ title charge, and his goal‑scoring record places him among the league’s most prolific attackers.
Lawrence Shankland, the club captain, is the defending champion of the award, having taken home the prize in 2024. Despite missing a period of the season with an injury, Shankland has still managed to score 13 goals in 25 league appearances.
His leadership on and off the pitch, coupled with his knack for delivering in crucial moments, has kept Hearts in contention for the championship. Motherwell’s nominees bring a different flavour to the shortlist. New Zealand winger Elijah Just has been a revelation since his arrival at Fir Park.
In 31 Premiership matches he has contributed seven goals and eight assists, playing a key role in Motherwell’s climb to fourth place. His pace, creativity and willingness to track back have made him a fan favourite and a valuable asset for manager Jens Berthel Askou. The most prolific scorer in the league at the time of nomination is Tawanda Maswanhise. The 23‑year‑old striker, who joined Motherwell in 2024, has already racked up 17 goals in 31 games, topping the league’s scoring charts.
His dramatic improvement from just five goals in the previous season highlights the impact of Askou’s coaching and Maswanhise’s own development. The young forward’s ability to find space in the box and finish with both feet has made him a constant threat to opposition defences. Other notable mentions in the broader PFA Scotland awards include Barney Stewart, who broke through at Falkirk after a loan spell at Dunfermline. The 22‑year‑old, who was playing university football only two years ago, has already scored eight Premiership goals for the Bairns, having previously netted six for the Pars in the Championship.
His rapid rise underscores the depth of talent emerging from the lower divisions. Arbroath midfielder Findlay Marshall is the sole nominee from outside the top flight. At just 19, he has recorded 11 goals and two assists, helping his part‑time Championship side secure a place in the promotion play‑offs. His performances have attracted attention from several Premiership clubs, suggesting a possible move in the near future.
Defender Luke Graham has been a stalwart for Dundee, starting 33 of the club’s 34 league games and providing a reliable presence at the back. His consistency has been a cornerstone of Dundee’s defensive record this season. On loan from Tottenham Hotspur, Rangers winger Mikey Moore is the youngest nominee at 18.
After a slow start, he has become a key figure in Danny Röhl’s side, contributing six goals and two assists as Rangers battle Hearts and Celtic for 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, joining Hearts’ Georgia Timms and Rangers forward Katie Wilkinson. Rangers also have two young players on the SWPL 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.
The competition remains tight as the 2025/26 season approaches its climax. Fans are also being invited to vote for their favourite Scottish Premiership goal of the season. The shortlist features a mix of spectacular strikes from across the league, including 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. Viewers can watch the twelve nominated goals and cast their votes online.
Beyond the awards, the Scottish football community continues to engage supporters with promotions such as the Super 6 competition, offering a chance to win £250,000. The contest is free to enter and adds an extra layer of excitement to the closing weeks of the season. Overall, the absence of Old Firm players from the Player of the Year shortlist highlights a shift in the balance of power within Scottish football. Hearts and Motherwell’s standout performers are now at the forefront of the conversation, and their individual achievements reflect a broader trend of emerging talent challenging the traditional dominance of Celtic and Rangers.
The upcoming vote will determine whether Braga, Shankland, Just or Maswanhise will claim the coveted accolade, but regardless of the outcome, the season has already demonstrated that Scottish football’s future is in capable, diverse hands.