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 are Hearts forwards Claudio Braga and Lawrence Shankland, alongside Motherwell’s dynamic duo Elijah Just and Tawanda Maswanhise.
The award, which is decided by a vote of the league’s own players, reflects a shift in the balance of power within Scottish top‑flight football this campaign. Hearts sit atop the Scottish Premiership table, three points clear of Celtic, while Rangers trail by a further point after a disappointing loss to Motherwell on Sunday. The Jambo’s recent form has been buoyed by the contributions of Braga and Shankland, both of whom have delivered consistently high output throughout the season. Claudio Braga, the Portuguese striker who arrived at Hearts during the summer transfer window, has quickly become the club’s leading marksman.
He has featured in every one of Hearts’ 34 league fixtures to date, tallying 14 goals and adding five assists. His all‑round play—linking up with teammates, creating space and pressing defenders—has been a key factor in Hearts’ title charge. Braga’s ability to find the net from a variety of positions, whether as a target man or by making late runs into the box, has earned him plaudits from supporters and pundits alike. Lawrence Shankland, the Scottish forward who captured the Player of the Year award in 2024, remains a pivotal figure for Hearts despite missing a spell of action due to injury.
Since returning, he has contributed 13 goals in 25 league appearances, demonstrating his knack for scoring decisive goals in tight contests. Shankland’s physical presence, aerial strength and intelligent movement make him a constant threat to opposition defences, and his leadership on the pitch has helped maintain Hearts’ momentum during a demanding title run. Motherwell’s nominees bring a different flavour to the shortlist. Elijah Just, a New Zealand winger who joined the Fir Park side earlier in his career, has been a revelation this season.
In 31 Premiership matches he has recorded seven goals and eight assists, playing a crucial role in Motherwell’s climb to fourth place in the league. His pace down the flanks, ability to cut inside and deliver accurate crosses, as well as his work rate in tracking back, have made him one of the most complete wide players in the division. The most prolific scorer in the league at present, however, is 23‑year‑old Tawanda Maswanhise.
Since signing for Motherwell in 2024, the striker has found the net 17 times in 31 games, overtaking all other contenders for the top‑scorer accolade. Under the guidance of new manager Jens Berthel Askou, Maswanhise has transformed from a modest five‑goal scorer in the previous campaign to a lethal finisher, demonstrating improved positioning, composure in one‑on‑one situations and a heightened ability to convert chances from both open play and set‑pieces. Beyond the four main nominees, the shortlist also features a handful of intriguing names from across the Scottish football pyramid. Arbroath midfielder Findlay Marshall, the sole nominee from outside the Premiership, has impressed with 11 goals and two assists, propelling his part‑time Championship side into the promotion play‑offs.
Dundee defender Luke Graham has been a stalwart at the back, starting 33 of the club’s 34 league fixtures and providing a reliable defensive foundation. Rangers’ on‑loan winger Mikey Moore, only 18 years old, is the youngest nominee. After a slow adaptation period following his move from Tottenham Hotspur, Moore has become an integral part of Danny Röhl’s attacking setup, contributing six goals and two assists as Rangers push the title race to the very end.
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 sees two Rangers youngsters, Laura Berry and May Cruft, nominated for the Young Player award alongside Hibernian’s Rosie Livingstone and Glasgow City’s Lisa Forrest. 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 invited to vote for their favourite Scottish Premiership Goal of the Season. The shortlist includes spectacular strikes from Aberdeen’s Marko Lazetic, Celtic’s Reo Hatate, Callum McGregor, Hyun‑Jun Yang and Sebastian Tounekti, as well as goals from 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 nominated goals and cast their vote online. Beyond the on‑field drama, the Scottish football community is also promoting engagement through a Super 6 competition, offering participants the chance to win a £250,000 prize pool.
The promotion encourages fans to enter for free, further enhancing the excitement surrounding the league’s final stages. Overall, the absence of Old Firm players from the Player of the Year shortlist underscores a broader narrative of competitive balance and emerging talent across Scotland’s football landscape. Whether the award ultimately goes to a Hearts striker, a Motherwell forward, or another surprise candidate, the 2024‑25 season will be remembered for its unpredictability and the rise of new stars ready to leave their mark on Scottish football history.