CELTIC STRIKER
● As it is looking increasingly likely that no more games will be played this season, our team of football writers give their verdict on which Premiership star has impressed them most during the campaign
is the star turn in an interrupted campaign in which his club again dominated domestically.
the most significant. The 26-yearold midfielder, pictured inset, has maintained his remarkable levels of consistency and durability at the heart of the Scottish champions’ midfield, the fulcrum of the fluency and efficiency which had them on course for a quadruple treble before the grim intervention of COVID-19.
While his team-mate Odsonne Edouard rightly attracts the plaudits for his prowess at the point of Celtic’s attack, Mcgregor’s sustained and utterly reliable contributions make him their most valuable component.
22-year-old Frenchman. Now, say such a player has been in blistering form, and between club and country, has bagged 39 goals in this abridged season – 11 of these coming in only six France under-21 appearances. All debate then is, surely, ended as to the identity of the best Scottish-based footballer of the past nine months.
A sublime performer, with a deftness and nimbleness that makes him a joy to watch, his wonder is not only his scoring but the fact that he has had crucial input into an overwhelming number of the 137 goals scored by the Scottish champions across the season.
club have a special kind of star. A guy who can rattle in the goals on an impressively-regular basis he is still a selfless teammate, with a laudable number of assists.
In Europe or domestically, the 22-year-old is clever and composed. Strong, physically and mentally. even if he misses he simply waits for the next opening and when others get the goals, his fingerprints are usually still all over them.
A consistent performer all season, his contributions can be jaw-droppingly good. A class act and a joy to watch.
candidates, including Hamilton’s Alex Gogic and Livingston’s Lyndon Dykes. But it is St Johnstone ace Ali Mccann who deserves the honour.
The 20-year-old was handed the keys to the Saints midfield at the start of the season, Tommy Wright recognising he was best suited to sitting at the base of the play.
As the season progressed he was moved into a more natural attacking role. He responded with four goals in a seven-game run in the league.
He offers the team dynamism, intelligence on the ball, combativeness and a really positive attitude. of last term and the departures of Craig Halkett and Liam Kelly, but they presently sit fifth in the Premiership and are surpassing all expectations yet again. Lawless, 28, has always been a technician in midfield, but this year he has upped his level significantly. He adds the class to a physical, workmanlike team and is the perfect foil behind Lyndon Dykes in attack.
He has played in 97 per cent of Livi’s games this season, scored eight times and weighed in with six assists. Honourable mentions to Odsonne Edouard and Ryan Jack, but Lawless gets my nod for powering Livingston’s seriously impressive campaign.