Derek McInnes of Heart of Midlothian, John McGlynn who steers Falkirk, and Gary Naysmith, the man in charge 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 nomination for McInnes comes in partnership with the Managers and Coaches Association of Scotland and recognises the remarkable job he has done in guiding Hearts to the edge of a league title – something the club has not achieved since the 1965‑66 season. The Jambos currently sit three points clear at the summit of the Scottish Premiership and have dominated the campaign for the majority of the campaign, maintaining a level of consistency that has eluded many of their rivals. Since taking the helm at Tynecastle Park last summer, the 54‑year‑old has overseen an unbeaten run at home in league competition and his side have suffered only four defeats across all fixtures this season.
Those numbers underline the transformation that has taken place under his leadership and explain why he is being celebrated alongside his peers. John McGlynn is also in contention, this time for a potential third straight Manager of the Year award – a feat that would set a new record. He previously captured the accolade in both 2024 and 2025 after delivering back‑to‑back promotions for Falkirk.
In their most recent season back in the top flight, the Bairns secured a respectable top‑six finish, exceeding expectations for a club that had only just returned to the Premiership. McGlynn’s ability to extract performances that consistently punch above their weight has kept Falkirk in the conversation for the season’s top managerial prize. Gary Naysmith’s achievements with Stenhousemuir have likewise drawn attention. The former professional player has turned the League One side into a formidable force at home, with the team remaining unbeaten at their own ground throughout the campaign.
While Stenhousemuir are not competing for the Premiership, their defensive solidity and attacking flair under Naysmith’s guidance have earned him a place on the shortlist, highlighting the breadth of managerial talent across Scotland’s football pyramid. Beyond the men’s game, the shortlist also includes several notable figures from the women’s side of Scottish football.
Hearts’ Eva Olid has been named for the SWPL Manager of the Year award, reflecting the club’s strong position at the top of the women’s table, where they sit two points clear and are vying for their first league crown. Glasgow City’s Leanne Ross, who previously enjoyed a distinguished playing career with 13 wins for the club, is also in the running, aiming to add a second managerial trophy to her résumé.
Former midfielder Gary Holt, who has experience at Kilmarnock, Falkirk, and Livingston, joins the SWPL shortlist after taking charge of Partick Thistle in November and steering them to a top‑six finish. His appointment demonstrates the fluid movement of coaching talent between the men’s and women’s games in Scotland. The season’s award ceremony will also celebrate individual player performances. Hearts forwards Claudio Braga and Lawrence Shankland are among those nominated for the PFA Scotland Player of the Year award, while Elijah Just and Tawanda Maswanhise of Motherwell complete the shortlist.
In the young‑player category, Rangers’ Mikey Moore shares the stage with Falkirk’s Barney Stewart, Arbroath’s Findlay Marshall and Dundee’s Luke Graham. On the women’s side, Glasgow City’s Lee Gibson and Nicole Kozlova have been shortlisted alongside Hearts’ Georgia Timms and Rangers’ forward Katie Wilkinson.
The young‑player prize features a mix of emerging talent, including Rangers’ Laura Berry and May Cruft, Hibernian’s Rosie Livingstone and Glasgow City’s Lisa Forrest. As the 2025/26 campaign draws to a dramatic close, fans are being invited to vote for the Scottish Premiership Goal of the Season. The shortlist boasts a diverse collection of strikes: 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 contenders online and cast their vote for the most spectacular finish of the year. In addition to the awards, the league continues to promote fan engagement through initiatives such as the Super 6 competition, which offers a chance to win a £250,000 prize pool at no cost to participants. These efforts aim to keep the excitement high as the season reaches its climax, ensuring that both players and supporters remain fully invested in the outcome of Scottish football’s most compelling narratives. Overall, the nominations for McInnes, McGlynn and Naysmith underscore the depth of managerial talent across Scotland’s football landscape, from the Premiership down to League One, and from the men’s game to the women’s.
Their respective achievements this season—whether it be leading a historic title challenge, securing a top‑six finish after promotion, or building an unbeaten home record—have set a benchmark for excellence and will be celebrated at the forthcoming awards ceremony.