Ex-Dons colleagues up for top manager gong

Former colleagues Derek McInnes and Tony Docherty are on a three-man shortlist for the manager of the year award.

The pair are joined by Falkirk boss John McGlynn on the Managers and Coaches Association of Scotland SPFL Manager of the Year shortlist.

McInnes has taken Kilmarnock to the verge of a European place a little over two years after assuming the helm, with the club fourth in the Championship.

Docherty, his longtime assistant, led Dundee into the Premiership top six in his first season and they are only two points behind fifthplaced St Mirren in the race for the final European spot.

McGlynn’s Falkirk side clinched the League One title in March and are unbeaten in the league ahead of their final game at home to Alloa on Saturday. They are 18 points ahead of runners-up Hamilton.

Billy Brown, chairman of the Managers and Coaches Association, said: “All three SPFL managers deserve great credit for the jobs they’ve done with the resources at their disposal. Derek won the award a decade ago and seems to be reinvigorated at Kilmarnock, he’s had a terrific season.

“I’ve known John for a long time, firstly as a coach at Musselburgh Windsor before Jim Jefferies and I took him to Hearts all those years ago. I’m really chuffed at what he’s done with Falkirk, it’s amazing to go through nearly an entire season unbeaten.

“For Tony in his first job as a manager to get Dundee into the top six, he should be really proud.”

Partick Thistle striker Brian Graham, 36, is in the running for an awards double after being nominated as SWPL1 Manager of the Year.

He is also shortlisted for the PFA Scotland Championship Player of the Year.

Graham led Thistle Women to the Sky Sports Cup final this season, where they lost to Rangers.

Rangers manager Jo Potter also makes the shortlist as her team chase a domestic treble. And Hibernian’s Grant Scott makes up the shortlist after leading his side to a top-six finish.

Winners will be announced at the PFA Scotland awards dinner on Sunday.