Young, gifted and backed

1, Odsonne Edouard (Celtic)

The 22-year-old French striker will surely win the award unless voters forget that he is still eligible. He has scored 28 goals in all competitions, starring for Celtic in the league and on the continent and coming off the bench to make a telling impact in the Betfred Cup final victory over Rangers. Alfredo Morelos’ barren spell in 2020 has confirmed Edouard as the best player in Scottish football and, unless his peers are too distracted by giving him the main Player of the Year award, he will win this prize.

2, Lewis Ferguson (Aberdeen) A nominee last year, don’t be too surprised if he fails to pick up one this term as, like Edouard, people may forget about his age. Incredibly, despite this being his third season of regular and consistently strong first-team performances, Ferguson is still only 20. His candidacy might also be hindered by the fact this is a very “meh” Aberdeen season, but that would be a shame. For a club that made several noticeable centre-midfield signings this term, he has remained the Dons’ best player at the position.

3, Aaron Hickey (Hearts)

Hearts being bottom of the Premiership could hurt his case, but it shouldn’t. When this sorry season is over for the Tynecastle side – if it isn’t already – then Hickey is one of the few who should be proud of his performances. He

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has been Hearts’ best player, and certainly most consistent, behind experienced full-back Michael Smith. Not only does he display youthful exuberance to get up and down the wing, he is also a very solid defender. At only 17 years of age, he has a huge future ahead of him. Luckily for all of us, what with the strength in depth at left-back for Scotland, he can also kick comfortably with his right foot.

4, Ali Mccann (St Johnstone)

If Edouard doesn’t get the Young Player of the Year award then this is the man who should. Mccann, 20, has been a revelation for St Johnstone this campaign and their best player over the course of the almost-season. Even when Saints were struggling mightily and embroiled in a relegation dogfight before December, he continued to impress. Since they have improved their performances to shoot up the table, he has gone up a level with the rest of his teammates. A dogged worker, he is also a composed passer and a threat in the opposition box. 5, Kristoffer Ajer (Celtic)

It has not been a terrific campaign by the Norwegian’s typically high standards. The 21-year-old has been good. A footballer can’t be an almost ever-present in the back four of the champions-elect and be anything other than solid. But he just hasn’t quite kicked on to become a monstrous defensive force in Scottish football as expected. That and the familiarity will rob him of votes, although as he plays for the quadruple-treble favourites don’t be too surprised to see him sneak in among the nominations.

6, Allan Campbell (Motherwell) Motherwell have been the third best team in Scottish football up to this point, so it would be fitting to reward one of their more consistent performances with a nomination for this award. Allan Campbell, 21, has just continued to do Allan Campbell things: crunched into tackles, covered every blade of grass, linked midfield and attack, and made telling contributions at either end of the park.

7, Jeremie Frimpong (Celtic)