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 honour is being contested by a quartet of standout performers from Hearts, Motherwell and the wider Scottish football landscape. Hearts have two candidates in the race: Portuguese forward Claudio Braga and Scottish striker Lawrence Shankland.
Both have been instrumental in the Jambo's impressive campaign, which currently sees them three points clear of Celtic at the summit of the Premiership. Rangers sit just one point further back after a disappointing defeat to Motherwell on Sunday, leaving the Old Firm absent from the shortlist for the first time in over a decade.
Claudio Braga, who arrived at Hearts in the summer transfer window, has quickly become the club's leading marksman. He has featured in every one of the 34 league fixtures to date, tallying 14 goals and adding five assists. His consistent presence and goal‑scoring prowess have been key factors in Hearts’ title‑challenging form, and his performances have earned him a place among the nominees for the season’s top individual accolade.
Lawrence Shankland, the seasoned striker who lifted the Player of the Year award in 2024, is also back in contention despite a spell on the sidelines due to injury. Since returning to action, Shankland has found the net 13 times in 25 league appearances, reaffirming his reputation as one of the most lethal forwards in Scottish football. His ability to combine physical strength with intelligent movement has kept Hearts firmly in the hunt for the championship. From Motherwell, two more players have earned nominations.
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 pivotal role in Motherwell’s rise to fourth place in the table. His pace, dribbling skill and eye for a pass have made him a constant threat to opposition defences and a valuable asset for the club’s attacking strategy. The other Motherwell nominee, 23‑year‑old striker Tawanda Maswanhise, is currently the league’s top scorer with 17 goals from 31 games.
After a modest return of five goals in the previous season, Maswanhise has flourished under the guidance of new manager Jens Berthel Askou, displaying a renewed confidence and clinical finishing that have propelled Motherwell’s offensive output. His goal tally not only leads the Premiership but also underscores his rapid development into one of Scotland’s most promising attacking talents.
Beyond the top‑flight, the shortlist also includes players from lower divisions and youth ranks, highlighting the depth of talent across Scottish football. Arbroath midfielder Findlay Marshall, the sole nominee from outside the Premiership, has impressed with 11 goals and two assists, helping his part‑time Championship side secure a spot in the promotion play‑offs. His performances demonstrate that quality can be found at every level of the game.
Defender Luke Graham of Dundee has enjoyed a standout season at the back, starting 33 of the club’s 34 league matches and providing a reliable, commanding presence in defence. His consistency has been a cornerstone of Dundee’s campaign, earning him recognition among the league’s elite players.
Rangers’ loan signing Mikey Moore, only 18 years old, is the youngest nominee on the list. After a slow start following his move from Tottenham Hotspur, Moore has become a key figure in Danny Röhl’s side, contributing six goals and two assists as Rangers push Hearts and Celtic for the title. His rapid adaptation to Scottish football at such a young age signals a bright future ahead. 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, alongside Hearts’ Georgia Timms and Rangers forward Katie Wilkinson.
The SWPL also features a Young Player shortlist with Laura Berry and May Cruft of Rangers, 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 trailing another two points in third place. As the 2025/26 season draws to a dramatic close, 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 Youssev Chermiti. Supporters can view all twelve goals and cast their vote for the most memorable finish. In addition to the on‑field excitement, there is a promotional opportunity for fans to enter the Super 6 competition, offering a chance to win a £250,000 prize pool at no cost.
This adds an extra layer of engagement for the Scottish football community as the season reaches its climax. Overall, the absence of Celtic and Rangers players from the Player of the Year shortlist underscores a shifting landscape in Scottish football, where emerging talents from Hearts, Motherwell and beyond are stepping into the spotlight. The nominees reflect a blend of established stars and rising prospects, each contributing uniquely to their clubs’ ambitions and to the overall competitiveness of the league.
The final voting, determined by the players themselves, will crown the individual who has most significantly impacted the season, further highlighting the evolving narrative of Scottish football this year.