For the first time since the 2012‑13 campaign, the PFA Scotland Premiership Player of the Year shortlist contains no representatives from the traditional powerhouses Celtic or Rangers. The four nominees this season are Hearts forwards Claudio Braga and Lawrence Shankland, alongside Motherwell’s prolific striker Elijah Just and the league’s current top scorer, Tawanda Maswanhise.
The award is decided by a vote of the players who compete in the top tier of Scottish football, making it a true peer‑recognition honour. Hearts sit in a commanding position at the summit of the Premiership, three points clear of Celtic and a further point ahead of Rangers, who slipped up with a defeat to Motherwell on Sunday. The Jambo side’s recent form has been underpinned by the contributions of the two nominated forwards.
Braga, who arrived from abroad in the summer and quickly established himself as the club’s leading marksman, has already recorded 14 league goals and added five assists, featuring in every one of Hearts’ 34 matches to date. His consistency and work rate have made him a vital cog in a side that appears determined to break the Old Firm’s long‑standing dominance.
Lawrence Shankland, the captain of Hearts and the 2024 winner of the same accolade, has also enjoyed a standout season despite a spell on the sidelines due to injury. In 25 league appearances he has found the net 13 times, demonstrating his ability to lead by example and deliver when the stakes are highest.
His leadership on and off the pitch has been praised by manager Robbie Pope, who highlighted Shankland’s professionalism and his influence on younger squad members. Motherwell’s nominees bring a different narrative to the shortlist.
New Zealand winger Elijah Just has been a revelation since his arrival, contributing seven goals and eight assists across 31 Premiership fixtures. His pace, directness and willingness to take on defenders have helped the Steelmen climb to fourth place in the table, a position that looks secure as the season draws to a close.
Just’s versatility – capable of operating on either flank or cutting inside – has given Motherwell a valuable tactical option that has often proved decisive in tight matches. The most prolific scorer in the league, 23‑year‑old Tawanda Maswanhise, has taken the award race by storm.
Since joining Motherwell in 2024, he has already amassed 17 goals in 31 games, overtaking all other attackers in the division. His dramatic improvement from the previous season, when he managed only five goals, can be largely credited to the guidance of new manager Jens Berthel Askou, who has built the team’s attacking play around Maswanhise’s physicality and clinical finishing.
The striker’s ability to score from a variety of positions – whether it be a poacher’s tap‑in, a powerful long‑range effort, or a well‑timed header – has made him a constant threat to opposition defences. Beyond the four main nominees, the shortlist also includes a handful of players from other clubs who have made significant impacts.
Falkirk’s young forward Barney Stewart, who spent the early part of the season on loan at Dunfermline, broke into the first team after only two years of university‑level football. He has already recorded eight Premiership goals for the Bairns, adding six more during his spell in the Championship with the Pars. His rapid rise has been hailed as a testament to his determination and natural talent.
Arbroath midfielder Findlay Marshall, the sole nominee from outside the top flight, has been a standout performer in the Scottish Championship. At just 19 years old, he has scored 11 goals and supplied two assists, playing a pivotal role in his part‑time side’s push for a place in the promotion play‑offs. His performances have attracted attention from several Premiership clubs, suggesting a possible move in the upcoming transfer window. Defender Luke Graham has been a rock at the heart of Dundee’s back line, starting 33 of the team’s 34 league matches and providing stability and leadership at the rear.
His consistency has helped Dundee maintain a respectable position in the table despite a relatively modest squad. Rangers’ loan signing Mikey Moore, only 18, is the youngest nominee on the list. After a quiet start following his transfer from Tottenham Hotspur, he has become a key figure for Danny Röhl’s side, contributing six goals and two assists. His emergence adds another layer of intrigue to a Rangers side that is still chasing 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, joining Hearts’ Georgia Timms and Rangers forward Katie Wilkinson. The SWPL also features a Young Player shortlist, with Laura Berry and May Cruft representing Rangers, while Hibernian’s Rosie Livingstone and Glasgow City’s Lisa Forrest round out the nominees. Hearts currently lead the SWPL, two points ahead of Glasgow City, with Rangers a further two points back in third place.
As the 2025/26 season approaches its climax, fans are also invited to vote for their favourite Scottish Premiership goal of the season. The shortlist includes striking efforts from Marko Lazetic (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), Jayden Meghoma and Youssef Chermiti (Rangers). Supporters can view all twelve goals online and cast their vote for the most memorable strike. Outside of the on‑field action, a promotional Super 6 competition is running, offering participants a chance to win a £250,000 prize pool.
Entry is free, and the contest is designed to keep fans engaged as the league’s final matches unfold.