McInnes, McGlynn & Naysmith: The Manager of the Year Showdown That Defines Scottish Football

The final whistle hasn’t blown on the 2024-25 Scottish season, but the votes are already being counted for one of the most intriguing PFA Scotland Manager of the Year races in recent memory. Three very different managers, representing three distinct tiers of the Scottish game, are locked in a battle for the ultimate individual accolade. On one side, you have Derek McInnes, the seasoned veteran attempting to break a 65-year curse for Hearts. On another, John McGlynn, the 64-year-old magician chasing a historic third consecutive award. And lurking in the shadows is Gary Naysmith, the underdog king of Stenhousemuir.

This isn’t just a vote; it’s a referendum on what we value most in management. Is it the high-pressure art of toppling giants? The craft of consistent, sustainable success? Or the miracle of squeezing blood from a stone with a fraction of the budget? Let’s break down the case for each candidate.

The Gorgie Gamble: Derek McInnes and Hearts’ Title Charge

Let’s start with the elephant in the room—or rather, the maroon elephant that hasn’t won a top-flight title since 1960. When Derek McInnes walked through the doors of Tynecastle last summer, the expectation was clear: challenge Celtic and Rangers. Few believed it could happen this quickly.

McInnes has done more than challenge. With four games remaining, his Hearts side sit three points clear at the top of the Premiership. This is not a fluke. This is tactical discipline, defensive solidity, and a ruthless streak in front of goal. The former Aberdeen boss has built a team that mirrors his own personality: hard-working, unglamorous, but brutally effective.

What makes McInnes’ case so compelling is the context. Celtic and Rangers have dominated Scottish football for decades. To interrupt that duopoly requires not just a good team, but a psychological breakthrough. Hearts’ record against the Old Firm this season has been exceptional. They’ve stopped losing the “big games” and started winning them.

Key statistics for McInnes’ candidacy:

• Premiership leaders with four games to play
• Best defensive record in the league
• Unbeaten at home since September
• Dismantled Rangers 3-0 at Ibrox in March

If McInnes leads Hearts to the title, the debate is over. He would be the first manager in 65 years to bring the flag to Gorgie. That is the kind of narrative that wins awards. But there is a catch: the season isn’t over yet. A late collapse could open the door for his rivals.

The Serial Winner: John McGlynn’s Falkirk Fairytale

While McInnes fights for history, John McGlynn is quietly writing his own legend. The 64-year-old is already a two-time winner of this award, having claimed it in 2010-11 with Raith Rovers and in each of the last two seasons with Falkirk. A third consecutive win would be unprecedented in the modern era.

McGlynn’s achievement this season is deceptively simple: he has kept Falkirk in the top six of the Premiership after ending their 15-year absence from the top flight. But look closer, and the scale of the task becomes clear. Falkirk were promoted via back-to-back title-winning promotions from League One and the Championship. That means McGlynn has effectively taken a team from the third tier to the upper half of the top flight in just three seasons.

The Bairns are not a yo-yo club. They are a club that has stabilized, adapted, and now competes. McGlynn’s ability to identify players who can step up a level—while maintaining a distinct style of play—is the hallmark of a top-tier manager. He doesn’t just win; he builds sustainable structures.

Why McGlynn deserves the vote:

• Has won the award in two consecutive seasons (2022-23, 2023-24)
• Secured a top-six finish in Falkirk’s first season back in the Premiership
• Masterminded the club’s rise from League One to the top flight in three years
• Previous winner with Raith Rovers (2010-11)

The counter-argument? Some voters might feel that “maintaining” success is less impressive than “creating” it. But that ignores the immense pressure of staying in the top flight. McGlynn hasn’t just survived; he has thrived. If Falkirk finish in the top six, his case becomes very strong indeed.

The Miracle Worker: Gary Naysmith and Stenhousemuir’s Rise

And then there is Gary Naysmith. If this award were purely about overperformance relative to resources, the Stenhousemuir boss would win in a landslide. The Warriors are a part-time club in a full-time world. Their budget is a fraction of Falkirk’s, let alone Hearts’. Yet Naysmith has them punching well above their weight in the Championship.

Stenhousemuir are not just avoiding relegation; they are in the promotion play-off conversation. Naysmith has instilled a tactical flexibility that allows his side to compete against bigger, richer opponents. He has developed young players, squeezed every ounce of potential from veterans, and created a culture of resilience.

The former Scotland international has done this without fanfare. There are no headlines about record transfers or marquee signings. Just consistent, intelligent management. In many ways, Naysmith represents the soul of Scottish football: the part-time manager who works 60-hour weeks because he loves the game.

Naysmith’s case in numbers:

• Currently sitting in the Championship top four with a part-time squad
• Has the lowest wage bill in the division
• Defeated three full-time clubs in the Scottish Cup
• Developed two players who earned international call-ups at youth level

The problem for Naysmith is that the PFA Scotland award has historically favored managers in the top flight. Voters are often swayed by the glamour of the Premiership. But if the vote were held today, Naysmith would likely be the sentimental favorite—and deservedly so.

Expert Analysis: Who Should Win and Why

Let’s be clear: all three managers are deserving. This is not a weak field. But awards are about moments, narratives, and impact. Here is my breakdown.

If the season ended today: Derek McInnes would win. A title for Hearts, ending 65 years of hurt, is the kind of achievement that transcends statistics. It is a cultural event. The PFA Scotland voters would not ignore that.

If Falkirk finish 6th and Hearts finish 2nd: John McGlynn takes it. Three consecutive awards would be a fitting tribute to a career of quiet excellence. His body of work over three seasons is unmatched.

If Stenhousemuir reach the play-off final: Gary Naysmith could cause an upset. The romantic vote is real, and many voters admire the part-time miracle more than the full-time success.

My prediction? McInnes edges it. The narrative is too powerful. But I would not be surprised if McGlynn makes it three in a row. The only certainty is that Scottish football is richer for having these three men at the helm.

The Verdict: A Season of Exceptional Leadership

Whoever lifts the PFA Scotland Manager of the Year trophy in May, this race has already achieved something important. It has reminded us that management is not just about money or resources. It is about vision, adaptability, and the ability to inspire.

Derek McInnes has turned a sleeping giant into a title contender. John McGlynn has built a dynasty from the ground up. Gary Naysmith has proven that part-time doesn’t mean second-rate.

In an era where Scottish football is often dismissed as a two-horse race, these three managers have shown that the story is far more nuanced. They are the architects of the beautiful game at its most compelling. And on a personal note, I hope the voters recognize that there is no wrong answer here—only three very right ones.

Final prediction: Derek McInnes wins the award, but John McGlynn’s legacy as a three-time winner will be the story that endures. And Gary Naysmith? He will be back next season, doing the same job with fewer resources, and probably winning it then.

Source: Based on news from Yahoo Sports.