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. The four nominees this year are Hearts forwards Claudio Braga and Lawrence Shankland, alongside Motherwell’s Elijah Just and Tawanda Maswanhise, each of whom has enjoyed a standout campaign that has captured the attention of their peers across the top division. Hearts sit atop the Scottish Premiership table, enjoying a three‑point lead over Celtic, while Rangers trail by a further point after a recent defeat to the Steelmen.
The absence of Old Firm players on the list highlights the increasingly competitive nature of the league, where clubs outside Glasgow are producing the season's most influential performers. Claudio Braga, the Portuguese striker who arrived at Hearts during the summer transfer window, has quickly become the club’s leading marksman. In 34 league appearances he has found the back of the net 14 times and supplied five assists, demonstrating a consistent threat both as a finisher and a creator.
His contributions have been pivotal in maintaining Hearts’ position at the summit of the table and have cemented his reputation as one of the Premiership’s most reliable attackers. Lawrence Shankland, the former Aberdeen forward who captains Hearts, is another key figure in the title race.
The Scottish international, who was honoured as the Player of the Year in 2024, has overcome a spell on the sidelines due to injury to register 13 goals in 25 league outings this season. His leadership on and off the pitch, combined with his goal‑scoring pedigree, makes him a strong contender for the award. Motherwell’s Elijah Just, a dynamic winger from New Zealand, has been a revelation since his arrival at Fir Park. Over the course of 31 Premiership matches he has contributed seven goals and eight assists, playing a crucial role in Motherwell’s climb to fourth place.
His pace, work rate and ability to create chances have added a fresh dimension to the Motherwell attack and have not gone unnoticed by fellow professionals. Tawanda Maswanhise, the 23‑year‑old striker who joined Motherwell in 2024, is currently the league’s top scorer with 17 goals from 31 games. Under the guidance of new manager Jens Berthel Askou, Maswanhise has transformed his output dramatically, improving from just five goals the previous season to leading the scoring charts this campaign. His sharp finishing, intelligent movement and physical presence have made him a constant menace to opposition defences.
Beyond the four nominees, several other players have earned recognition for their performances. Barney Stewart, a 22‑year‑old forward who broke through at Falkirk after a loan spell at Dunfermline, has already tallied eight Premiership goals for the Bairns, having previously scored six for the Pars in the Championship. His rapid rise from university football to top‑flight success exemplifies the depth of talent emerging across Scotland.
Arbroath midfielder Findlay Marshall is the sole nominee from outside the Premiership. At just 19, he has recorded 11 goals and two assists, propelling his part‑time Championship side into the promotion play‑offs and earning him a place on the shortlist.
Defender Luke Graham has been a stalwart for Dundee, starting 33 of the club’s 34 league fixtures and providing a reliable defensive foundation throughout the season. Rangers’ on‑loan winger Mikey Moore, only 18 years old, has turned a slow start into a breakthrough, delivering six goals and two assists for Danny Röhl’s side and emerging as a key contributor in the race for the title.
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 on the shortlist. 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 clear of Glasgow City, with Rangers a further two points behind 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 Marko Lazitic (Aberdeen), Reo Hatate (Celtic), Callum McGregor (Celtic), Hyun‑Jun Yang (Celtic), Sebastian Tounekti (Celtic), Ethan Hamilton (Dundee), Zac Sapsford (Dundee United), Kyrell Wilson (Falkirk), Alex Kyziridis (Hearts), Ben Brannan (Kilmarnock), and Rangers duo Jayden Meghoma and Youssef Chermiti. Supporters can view all twelve contenders and cast their votes online.
In addition to the football action, a Super 6 competition offers participants the chance to win a £250,000 prize pool, with free entry available for those who wish to try their luck.