DIVISIVE DUO MISS OUT
THE awards season is always interesting but for most pros there are some awards that mean more than others.
The Players’ Player is the one to win. There’s something about getting picked by your fellow pros that is special.
I was never too fussed about picking up gongs in my playing days but winning the Players’ Player one in Scotland was a source of pride.
It just showed your rivals might think you’re an a***hole but at least they have respect for you as a player.
You look at the names on the PFA list over the years and there are some great players on there.
Charlie Nicholas, Willie Miller, Andy Goram, Brian Laudrup, Henrik Larsson, yours truly ... it’s not a bad list.
Even my old pal Derek Johnstone is on there. Too right, he was a great player in his day.
Derek would have probably voted for Joe Garner, mind you, but I don’t think most sensible folk would have too many complaints if Scott Sinclair or Moussa Dembele won it this year.
You could say the same for Stuart Armstrong while Jonny Hayes deserves to have his name among the shortlist.
But for me the current players have missed out on one guy who had to be in the running.
The fact Scott Brown is not in the final four is baffling.
Maybe his rivals hate playing against him so much that they couldn’t bring themselves to put his name on the voting slip. It’s a shame. Brown has been the story of the season. Brendan Rodgers said he had one bad game this year but I must have missed it. He’s been the story of the year.
I watched him in the Scottish Cup semi-final against Rangers last season and while I wasn’t one of the critics who said he was finished, I did have my doubts he could continue to maintain it at the highest level. Brown was a shadow of his former self.
However, the transformation under Rodgers has been unbelievable. Brown simply bossed every game in Scotland. It’s not just in the Premiership either. You look at his displays in Europe this year and it was clear he is a top player.
His passing stats in the Champions League were ridiculous. I can only think he has upset too many of his opponents this year and that’s why they didn’t vote for him.
Listen, I know how it works. When you are at Celtic or Rangers you are loathe to vote for someone in the other side.
But that doesn’t mean you don’t do it. I used to hate guys like Barry Ferguson or Arthur Numan. Detested them. That was on the park though. I respected them as players.
You hated them when it came to the battle but you recognised the fact they were in the same boat as us. I’m sure when I won, my rivals grudgingly put my name in the box.
They probably thought I was an a***hole but at least they came to their senses when it came to voting.
Brown should be the same but it’s bizarre his name is not on the shortlist.
It’s hard to see past Sinclair. He has been different class this season and would be a worthy winner.
I see parallels to myself with him. He was having a tough time of it in England but came to Celtic and got a new lease of life.
He’s been exceptional. The same goes for Dembele. He’s had a few injuries of late but it shouldn’t take away from his displays this term.
Don’t forget his performances in the Champions League and he made an impact in all of the big games.
As for Manager of the Year, it’s a done deal. Rodgers should clean up. He’s done an incredible job this season.
However, like the Players’ award I can’t for the life of me understand how Neil Lennon is not on the shortlist.
No harm to Jim Duffy. He’s done a great job at Morton but Lennon has romped the Championship.
Mark Warburton got the award last year for doing the exact same thing – with much more money.
You can’t tell me guiding Hibs to the title and a Scottish Cup semi-final is less of an achievement than Warburton managed.
It’s ridiculous. The same goes for Tommy Wright. Maybe people just expect him to do well these days and take it for granted.
It shouldn’t be the case though. Tommy has worked miracles again at St Johnstone and deserves to be recognised.
Maybe it’s turned into a popularity contest.
Guys like Brown and Lennon should perhaps take it as a compliment then.
The fact so many people don’t like them means they are a success.
You don’t get a trophy on the mantelpiece for it but at least it shows you are doing something right.
It’s nice to get awards but it’s winner’s medals that matter.