For the first time since the 2013 season, the PFA Scotland Premiership Player of the Year shortlist contains no representatives from either Celtic or Rangers. The four nominees this year are Hearts forwards Claudio Braga and Lawrence Shankland, alongside Motherwell’s Elijah Just and Tawanda Maswanhise. The award is decided by a vote of the players competing in the top tier of Scottish football. Hearts sit at the summit of the Scottish Premiership, three points clear of Celtic, while Rangers trail by an additional point after a recent defeat to Motherwell.
The Jambo side have been propelled by the striking prowess of Braga, who arrived at the club in the summer and has quickly become the team’s leading scorer. The Portuguese forward has found the net 14 times and contributed five assists, appearing in every one of Hearts’ 34 league fixtures to date. Lawrence Shankland, the club captain, is a familiar face on the shortlist, having secured the award in 2024. Despite a spell on the sidelines due to injury, he has returned to form, scoring 13 goals in 25 league appearances.
His experience and goal‑scoring instinct remain vital to Hearts’ title challenge. Motherwell’s Elijah Just, a dynamic winger from New Zealand, has been a revelation since his arrival. In 31 Premiership games he has registered seven goals and eight assists, helping the Steelmen climb to fourth place in the current table. His pace, crossing ability and work rate have added a new dimension to Motherwell’s attack and earned him a place among the elite nominees.
The fourth nominee, 23‑year‑old Tawanda Maswanhise, has been the most prolific scorer in the league this season. Since joining Motherwell in 2024, he has already amassed 17 goals in 31 matches, overtaking all other forwards in the division. Under the guidance of new manager Jens Berthel Askou, Maswanhise has transformed from a modest five‑goal scorer last season into the league’s top marksman, showcasing a blend of clinical finishing and intelligent movement. Other notable performances in the Scottish game have also been highlighted.
Barney Stewart, who broke through at Falkirk after a loan spell at Dunfermline, has risen from university football just two years ago to net eight Premiership goals for the Bairns, following a six‑goal haul in the Championship for the Pars. His rapid development underscores the depth of talent emerging from the lower leagues.
In the Championship, 19‑year‑old Arbroath midfielder Findlay Marshall stands out as the sole nominee from outside the top flight. Marshall has contributed 11 goals and two assists, playing a pivotal role in securing his part‑time side’s place in the promotion play‑offs. Defender Luke Graham has been a mainstay in Dundee’s back line, starting 33 of the club’s 34 league games and providing a reliable defensive presence throughout the campaign. Rangers’ loan signing Mikey Moore, only 18 years old, has emerged as the youngest nominee.
After a gradual adaptation period following his move from Tottenham Hotspur, Moore has become a key figure in Danny Röhl’s side, delivering six goals and two assists as Rangers press the title race. 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, joining Hearts’ Georgia Timms and Rangers forward Katie Wilkinson.
The SWPL Young Player shortlist features 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 reaches its climax, fans are invited to vote for their favourite 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.
View all twelve goals and cast your vote to decide the season’s most spectacular strike. Outside the footballing action, a Super 6 competition is running, offering participants a chance to win a £250,000 prize pool. Entry is free, providing an additional incentive for supporters to stay engaged with the Scottish game as the season draws to a close.