Gers bossed it but don’t count on clean sweep
DEREK McINNES found the time had come at Aberdeen. Neil Lennon had already discovered at Celtic that past achievements don’t count for much when things go awry.
But take those two out of the equation and it has been a season of happiness when it comes to managers currently in top-flight posts.
Steven Gerrard may have secured the ultimate prize in winning Rangers’ first title in 10 years but he’s not alone in making great things happen.
While the Player of the Year award is going to be a simple case of selecting which one of the Ibrox heroes has been deemed best, it’s not as clear-cut the manager gong will go to the same destination.
It wasn’t Gerrard who put an end to Celtic’s run of 12 straight domestic trophies. That honour fell to Callum Davidson who is doing a magnificent job at St Johnstone.
As if it wasn’t enough to be assistant manager when the club won their first Scottish Cup, he led from the front as the League Cup landed in Perth for a first time. And his team aren’t out of the top-six running yet.
Saints beat Livingston but that doesn’t detract from the job David Martindale has done.
In fact, the mere sight of his team at Hampden says it all. The work Martindale has done is bordering on incredible.
St Mirren are also in line for the top six and Jim Goodwin has won nothing but admiration for outstanding efforts.
The Buddies are the only team to have beaten Rangers this term, sinking them in the League Cup.
Yes, there’s frustration they couldn’t convert it into silverware. But the progress with a reshaped squad is impressive.
Jack Ross was also frustrated at a failure to turn good opportunities into cup glory, with semifinal losses to Hearts and St Johnstone. But Hibs are in line for third in the league, which is no more than can be asked of him.
Micky Mellon has taken on the work of Robbie Neilson and cemented Dundee United’s position in their first campaign back in the big time.
Narrow failure to make the top half is not failure at all and his young team have good years ahead.
Graham Alexander has won games to give Motherwell breathing space after taking over from Stephen Robinson, while John Hughes has done the same at Ross County since replacing Stuart Kettlewell.
Differing personalities, similar impact.
Brian Rice at Hamilton
It’s not as clear-cut manager award will go to same destination at Ibrox
is, of course, Brian Rice. Helping Accies to do what Accies do – defy the odds and stay up.
There’s still a long way to go but there isn’t a stone you can throw at him for his work so far.
Of the men in post, it’s only Tommy Wright who has yet to win over his fans. Kilmarnock are in trouble but he’s only just started and his CV says he can save them.
McInnes and Lennon may have lost support within their fan base but the majority of punters across the country have been given something to smile about by current bosses in tough times.
The Player of the Year award is heading to Ibrox but you can’t be as sure when it comes to the manager prize.