For the first time since the 2012‑13 season, the PFA Scotland Premiership Player of the Year shortlist contains no representatives from either Celtic or Rangers. The omission of the traditional Old Firm heavyweights marks a notable shift in the balance of power within the Scottish top flight and highlights the impact of a handful of standout performers from other clubs. The four nominees are Hearts forwards Claudio Braga and Lawrence Shankland, Motherwell’s dynamic winger Elijah Just, and the prolific striker Tawanda Maswanhise.
The award is decided by a vote of the league’s players, meaning that their peers recognise the quality and consistency each of these men has displayed throughout the campaign. Hearts sit at the summit of the Premiership table, three points clear of Celtic, while Rangers trail by a further point after a disappointing loss to Motherwell on Sunday. The Jambos’ position at the top is largely due to the contributions of their attacking duo.
Braga, who arrived at Hearts in the summer after a successful spell elsewhere, has quickly become the club’s leading marksman. The Portuguese forward has found the net 14 times and added five assists, appearing in every one of Hearts’ 34 league fixtures to date. His all‑round play – from holding up the ball to creating space for teammates – has been a key factor in the team’s title charge. Shankland, the club captain, is a familiar face on the shortlist, having won the same accolade in 2024.
Despite missing several weeks with an injury, he has still managed to score 13 goals in 25 league appearances. His leadership on and off the pitch, combined with his knack for scoring crucial goals, has cemented his reputation as one of Scotland’s premier forwards.
Motherwell’s Elijah Just has been a revelation since his arrival. The New Zealand winger has contributed seven goals and eight assists in 31 Premiership matches, playing a pivotal role in the Fir Park side’s climb to fourth place.
His pace, dribbling ability, and eye for a pass have made him a constant threat to opposition defences and a favourite among the Motherwell faithful. Perhaps the most surprising name on the list is 23‑year‑old Tawanda Maswanhise.
The striker joined Motherwell in 2024 and has since exploded onto the scene, currently sitting atop the league’s scoring chart with 17 goals in 31 games. Under the guidance of new manager Jens Berthel Askou, Maswanhise has transformed from a modest five‑goal scorer last season into a lethal finisher. His movement off the ball, aerial prowess, and clinical finishing have earned him widespread acclaim and a strong case for the Player of the Year award. The shortlist also includes several notable players from outside the traditional top‑six.
Barney Stewart, a 22‑year‑old forward who broke through at Falkirk after a loan spell at Dunfermline, has already netted eight Premiership goals for the Bairns, having previously scored six in the Championship for the Pars. His rapid rise from university football to the top tier underscores the depth of talent emerging in Scottish football. Arbroath midfielder Findlay Marshall is the sole nominee from the lower divisions.
At just 19, he has recorded 11 goals and two assists, driving his part‑time Championship side into the promotion play‑offs. His performances have drawn attention from several Premiership clubs, highlighting the potential for a future move. Defender Luke Graham has enjoyed a standout season with Dundee, anchoring the back line in 33 of the team’s 34 league matches.
His consistency, aerial ability, and composure under pressure have made him a reliable figure in a side that has often been tested defensively. Rangers’ on‑loan winger Mikey Moore, only 18 years old, rounds out the young talent on the list.
After a slow start following his transfer from Tottenham Hotspur, Moore has become a key component of Danny Röhl’s attack, contributing six goals and two assists as Rangers vie for the title alongside Hearts and Celtic. In the women’s game, Glasgow City’s Lee Gibson and Nicole Kozlova have been nominated for the PFA Scotland SWPL Player of the Year award, joining Hearts’ Georgia Timms and Rangers forward Katie Wilkinson. The SWPL shortlist also features Rangers’ young players 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 approaches its climax, fans are invited to vote for their favourite Scottish Premiership goal of the season.
The shortlist includes striking moments 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’ Jayden Meghoma and Youssef Chermiti. Supporters can view all twelve goals and cast their vote online.
Beyond the individual accolades, the broader narrative this season is one of increasing competitiveness and the emergence of new stars across Scotland’s football landscape. The absence of Old Firm players from the top‑flight Player of the Year shortlist signals a potential redistribution of talent and ambition, suggesting that clubs like Hearts and Motherwell are capable of challenging the historic dominance of Celtic and Rangers.
Whether Braga, Shankland, Just or Maswanhise ultimately lifts the trophy, their nominations reflect a season rich in quality, determination, and memorable moments that will be remembered by supporters for years to come.