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 four nominees this year are Hearts forwards Claudio Braga and Lawrence Shankland, alongside Motherwell’s dynamic winger Elijah Just and the prolific striker Tawanda Maswanhise.
Hearts sit at the summit of the Scottish Premiership, three points clear of Celtic, while Rangers trail by a further point after a recent defeat to Motherwell. The absence of any Old Firm players on the shortlist highlights the growing competitiveness of the league and the impact of several standout performers outside the Glasgow duopoly. Claudio Braga, the Portuguese forward who arrived at Hearts during the summer transfer window, has quickly become the club’s leading goal scorer.
In 34 league appearances he has already found the net 14 times and contributed five assists, demonstrating a blend of finishing instinct and creative playmaking that has been vital to Hearts’ title charge. Lawrence Shankland, the Scottish striker who captured the Player of the Year award in 2024, remains a key figure for Hearts despite a spell on the sidelines due to injury. Since returning to action, he has added 13 goals from 25 league outings, reaffirming his reputation as one of the most lethal forwards in the Scottish top flight.
Motherwell’s New Zealand‑born winger Elijah Just has been a revelation since his arrival at Fir Park. Over 31 Premiership matches he has supplied seven goals and eight assists, a contribution that has propelled Motherwell up to fourth place in the current standings.
His pace, dribbling ability and eye for a pass have made him a constant threat on the flanks and a favorite among the club’s supporters. Perhaps the most eye‑catching nominee is 23‑year‑old Tawanda Maswanhise. The striker joined Motherwell in 2024 and, under the guidance of new manager Jens Berthel Askou, has transformed into the league’s leading scorer with 17 goals in 31 games. This marks a dramatic improvement from the previous season, when he managed only five goals, and underscores his rapid development and growing confidence in front of goal.
Other notable mentions from the nomination list include Falkirk’s emerging talent Barney Stewart, who broke through after a loan spell at Dunfermline. Only two years ago he was playing university football, yet he has already recorded eight Premiership goals for the Bairns after previously scoring six for the Pars in the Championship.
Arbroath midfielder Findlay Marshall, the sole nominee from outside the Premiership, has impressed in the Scottish Championship. At just 19, he has scored 11 goals and provided two assists, helping his part‑time side secure a place in the promotion play‑offs and earning him recognition on a national level. Defender Luke Graham of Dundee has also been highlighted for his consistency, starting 33 of the club’s 34 league fixtures and offering a reliable presence at the back throughout the campaign. Rangers’ on‑loan winger Mikey Moore, only 18 years old, is the youngest nominee on the list.
After a tentative start following his move from Tottenham Hotspur, he has become an integral part of Danny Röhl’s plans, contributing six goals and two assists as Rangers continue to challenge for the title. 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, alongside Hearts’ Georgia Timms and Rangers forward Katie Wilkinson. The SWPL Young Player shortlist also features Rangers’ Laura Berry and May Cruft, with Hibernian’s Rosie Livingstone and Glasgow City’s Lisa Forrest completing the nominations. Hearts currently lead the SWPL, two points ahead 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 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.
View the twelve nominated goals and cast your vote to decide which will be crowned the season’s best. Beyond the awards, the Scottish football community continues to engage fans with interactive experiences, such as the Super 6 competition offering a chance to win £250,000.
Participation is free, encouraging supporters to stay involved while the league races toward its dramatic conclusion.