The 2024‑25 PFA Scotland Premiership Player of the Year shortlist has taken an unprecedented turn: for the first time since 2013 no Celtic or Rangers player appears on the list. The four nominees are all from clubs outside the traditional Old Firm duopoly, highlighting a shift in the balance of power within Scottish football.
Representing Heart of Midlothian are the prolific Portuguese striker Claudio Braga and the seasoned forward Lawrence Shankland. Motherwell’s attacking contingent is represented by New Zealand winger Elijah Just and the young, dynamic striker Tawanda Maswanhise.
Each of these players has enjoyed a standout season, and all are eligible for the award, which is decided by a vote of their fellow top‑flight professionals. Hearts sit at the summit of the Scottish Premiership, three points clear of Celtic, while Rangers trail by a further point after a disappointing loss to Motherwell on Sunday. The Jambos’ strong position has been underpinned by the contributions of Braga, who joined the club in the summer and has quickly become its leading goal‑scorer. The 27‑year‑old has found the net 14 times and added five assists, playing in every one of Hearts’ 34 league matches to date.
His consistency in front of goal has been a key factor in keeping Hearts ahead of the Old Firm rivals. Lawrence Shankland, the club captain, is a familiar name in the race for the prize, having secured the award in 2024. Despite missing a period of the season through injury, Shankland has returned to form, scoring 13 goals in 25 league appearances.
His experience and leadership continue to drive Hearts’ attack, and his ability to produce decisive moments in big games remains invaluable. Motherwell’s Elijah Just has been a revelation since his arrival from New Zealand. The winger has contributed seven goals and eight assists across 31 Premiership fixtures, helping the Steelmen climb to fourth place in the table. His pace, work‑rate and eye for goal have made him a constant threat on the flanks, and his creative output has been instrumental in Motherwell’s recent surge up the standings.
The most prolific scorer in the league at the time of writing is Tawanda Maswanhise, who signed for Motherwell in 2024. The 23‑year‑old has already netted 17 goals in 31 games, topping the league’s scoring charts. His dramatic improvement under new manager Jens Berthel Askou – after only five goals the previous season – has made him a headline name. Maswanhise’s blend of physical presence, technical skill and finishing ability has seen him become the focal point of Motherwell’s attack.
Other notable nominees include Falkirk’s rising star Barney Stewart, who broke through after a loan spell at Dunfermline. The 22‑year‑old, who was playing university football just two years ago, has already scored eight Premiership goals for the Bairns, after an impressive six‑goal haul for the Pars in the Championship. His rapid progression underscores the depth of talent emerging from Scotland’s lower divisions.
From outside the top flight, Arbroath midfielder Findlay Marshall has earned a nomination as the sole non‑Premiership player on the list. At 19, he has already recorded 11 goals and two assists, playing a pivotal role in his part‑time side’s successful push into the promotion play‑offs. Defender Luke Graham of Dundee has also been recognised for his consistency, having started 33 of the club’s 34 league matches and providing a reliable backbone at the back. Rangers’ on‑loan winger Mikey Moore, the youngest nominee at just 18, has turned a slow start into a breakthrough season.
After moving from Tottenham Hotspur, Moore has become a key figure for Danny Röhl, contributing six goals and two assists as Rangers chase the title alongside Hearts and Celtic. 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. The SWPL also features a Young Player shortlist with Rangers’ Laura Berry and May Cruft, alongside Hibernian’s Rosie Livingstone and Glasgow City’s Lisa Forrest.
Hearts currently lead the SWPL, two points ahead of Glasgow City, with Rangers two points further back in third place. As the 2025/26 season approaches its climax, fans are invited to vote for the 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 for the most memorable. Beyond the on‑field action, the PFA Scotland awards continue to celebrate the breadth of talent across both the men’s and women’s leagues, reflecting a season where new faces have stepped into the spotlight and the traditional power structures have been challenged. The absence of Old Firm players on the Player of the Year shortlist serves as a testament to the growing competitiveness of Scottish football, and the nominees – Braga, Shankland, Just and Maswanhise – embody the quality and ambition driving the league forward.