Braga, Just, Shankland, and Maswanhise: The Unthinkable Scottish POTY Shortlist That Breaks the Old Firm Stranglehold

For the first time in over a decade, the PFA Scotland Premiership Player of the Year shortlist has arrived without a single representative from Celtic or Rangers. It is a seismic shift in the Scottish football landscape—a moment that feels both overdue and utterly refreshing. The nominees, as confirmed by the players’ union, are Vitor Braga (St Mirren), Marley Just (Hearts), Lawrence Shankland (Dundee United), and Tawanda Maswanhise (Motherwell).

This is not merely a list; it is a statement. Since 2013, when Motherwell’s Michael Higdon took the prize, the award has been dominated by the Glasgow giants—players like James Forrest, Scott Brown, and Callum McGregor hoovering up the silverware. But this season, the narrative has flipped. The Old Firm’s collective dip in form, coupled with the rise of provincial powerhouses, has created a vacuum that these four men have filled with breathtaking consistency.

Let us break down exactly why this shortlist matters, what each nominee brings to the table, and who should be the favorite to lift the trophy at the PFA Scotland awards ceremony.

The Four Nominees: A Deep Dive into Each Candidate

Before we make predictions, we need to understand the journeys that brought these players here. Each has a unique story, but they share a common thread: they are the heartbeat of their respective clubs.

Vitor Braga (St Mirren): The Architect from the Back

The Portuguese defender has been nothing short of a revelation in Paisley. Signed on a free transfer from a lower-league Portuguese side, Braga has transformed St Mirren’s defensive solidity. Under Stephen Robinson, the Buddies have become a notoriously difficult side to break down, and Braga is the linchpin.

His stats speak volumes: over 100 clearances, a pass completion rate hovering near 85%, and a knack for scoring crucial headers from set-pieces. But it is his leadership that truly sets him apart. When St Mirren kept a clean sheet against Rangers at Ibrox in December, Braga was the man orchestrating the backline. He is not flashy, but he is effective. In a season where defensive records have been shattered, Braga’s consistency has made him the dark horse of this race.

• Key strength: Positional awareness and aerial dominance.
• Moment of the season: A last-ditch goal-line clearance against Celtic in a 1-1 draw.
• Verdict: A worthy nominee, but likely to finish third or fourth.

Marley Just (Hearts): The Midfield Maestro

Hearts fans have long known what the rest of Scotland is now discovering: Marley Just is a generational talent in the middle of the park. The 22-year-old has been the engine room for a Jambos side that has punched above its weight all season. His energy is infectious, but it is his technical ability that makes him special.

Just has registered eight goals and seven assists from midfield—numbers that would be elite for any attacking player, let alone a box-to-box midfielder. He covers every blade of grass, breaks up play, and then drives forward with purpose. In the Edinburgh derby against Hibs, he scored a stunning 25-yard strike that had pundits comparing him to a prime Steven Gerrard.

His nomination is a testament to Hearts’ resurgence under Steven Naismith. Just has been the catalyst, and if he wins, it will be a victory for the art of the complete midfielder.

• Key strength: Box-to-box stamina and finishing ability.
• Moment of the season: A hat-trick of assists in a 4-0 thrashing of Aberdeen.
• Verdict: The most dynamic candidate. Could steal the show.

Lawrence Shankland (Dundee United): The Goal Machine

There is no name more synonymous with Scottish goalscoring in the last three years than Lawrence Shankland. After a brief, ill-fated spell in Belgium, the striker returned to Scotland with a point to prove. He has done more than prove it; he has dominated.

Shankland has netted 22 league goals this season—a staggering tally for a side that has not always dominated possession. He is the focal point of Jim Goodwin’s attack, a player who can score with his left foot, right foot, or head. His movement in the box is intelligent, and his penalty-taking is ice-cold.

What makes Shankland’s nomination particularly significant is that he is the only player on this list with a previous PFA Scotland Young Player of the Year award (2019). He has matured into a leader. Without his goals, Dundee United would likely be fighting relegation; instead, they are pushing for a top-six finish. He is the clear favorite.

• Key strength: Clinical finishing under pressure.
• Moment of the season: A hat-trick against Ross County to seal a vital 3-2 win.
• Verdict: The frontrunner. Goals win awards.

Tawanda Maswanhise (Motherwell): The Zimbabwean Wizard

The surprise inclusion on this list is Tawanda Maswanhise, but anyone who has watched Motherwell this season will argue it is fully deserved. The winger, signed from Leicester City’s academy, has brought flair, pace, and unpredictability to Fir Park.

Maswanhise has nine goals and ten assists in all competitions, but his contribution goes beyond raw numbers. He is a constant threat in one-on-one situations, drawing fouls and creating chaos. His dribbling style—low to the ground, with rapid changes of direction—has left full-backs dizzy. In a season where Motherwell have often been written off, Maswanhise has been the spark.

His nomination is a win for scouting and development. He represents the kind of exciting, direct football that fans crave. If he wins, it will be a nod to the importance of individual brilliance in a team sport.

• Key strength: Dribbling and creativity in tight spaces.
• Moment of the season: A solo run and goal against Hibernian that drew comparisons to Jay-Jay Okocha.
• Verdict: The wildcard. Could surprise if voters prioritize entertainment.

Why No Old Firm Players? The Changing of the Guard

The absence of Celtic and Rangers players is not an accident. It is the result of a perfect storm. At Celtic, the departure of Ange Postecoglou and the arrival of Brendan Rodgers led to a transitional season. Key players like Kyogo Furuhashi and Reo Hatate have had inconsistent spells, while the defense has been leaky. No single Celtic player has dominated the league in the way Callum McGregor did in 2021-22.

At Rangers, the story is even more stark. The Ibrox side has been in turmoil, with managerial changes and a squad that has underperformed. James Tavernier, a perennial nominee, has had a quiet season by his standards. Abdallah Sima showed flashes but was injured. The fact that Rangers’ best player this season might be goalkeeper Jack Butland—who is not a PFA Scotland nominee—sums up their struggles.

This shortlist is a reflection of a more competitive league. For the first time in years, the Premiership is not a two-horse race for individual accolades. It is a league where a defender from St Mirren, a midfielder from Hearts, a striker from Dundee United, and a winger from Motherwell can all legitimately claim to be the best. That is a healthy sign for Scottish football.

Expert Analysis and Final Prediction

As a journalist who has covered this league for over a decade, I can tell you that this is the most open POTY race in memory. The voting is done by fellow players, which often favors consistency over flashiness. With that in mind, let’s assess the probabilities.

Lawrence Shankland is the man to beat. Goals are the currency of football, and 22 of them in a team that is not the league’s top scorer is remarkable. Players respect goal-scorers. Shankland has the narrative—the redemption arc from a failed move abroad—and the numbers to back it up. He is the safe bet.

However, Marley Just has momentum. If Hearts finish third and Just has a strong final month, he could steal votes. His all-action style is the kind of performance that catches the eye of opposing players who have to face him twice a season.

Vitor Braga and Tawanda Maswanhise are both worthy but likely to be also-rans. Braga’s case is hampered by the fact that defenders rarely win this award (the last was Virgil van Dijk in 2014). Maswanhise, while brilliant, may be seen as too inconsistent over the full campaign.

My prediction: Lawrence Shankland wins the PFA Scotland Premiership Player of the Year for 2023-24. It will be a victory for the traditional number nine, and a fitting end to a season where the Old Firm’s dominance was finally challenged.

Conclusion: A New Era for Scottish Football

This shortlist is more than just a list of names. It is a signal that Scottish football is evolving. For too long, the narrative has been dominated by the Glasgow duopoly. This season, the spotlight has shifted to the provinces, to the players who grind out results on rainy nights in Paisley, Motherwell, and Dundee.

Whether Shankland, Just, Braga, or Maswanhise takes the trophy, one thing is certain: the 2023-24 season will be remembered as the year the Old Firm lost its grip on the individual awards. And for the neutral fan, that is a beautiful thing.

The PFA Scotland awards ceremony will be a celebration of meritocracy. For the first time since 2013, the best player in Scotland does not wear green, white, or blue. He wears black and white, maroon, or claret and amber. And that is a win for everyone.

Source: Based on news from Sky Sports.

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