Brendan Rodgers, David Gray, and John McGlynn Nominated for SPFL Manager of the Year Award
The Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) has announced the nominees for the Manager of the Year award, and Sky Sports has all the details. According to Sky Sports, Celtic’s Brendan Rodgers, Hibernian head coach David Gray, and John McGlynn of Championship side Falkirk are in the running for the top honour.
As reported by Sky Sports, Rodgers has been nominated after leading Celtic to a 55th league title, as well as clinching the League Cup. The Hoops are on the brink of a sixth domestic treble in nine seasons, with the Scottish Cup final against Aberdeen coming up at Hampden Park on May 24. Celtic have topped the Premiership all season, despite defeats to Rangers, Hibernian, and St Johnstone, as they won a fourth consecutive title. The Northern Irishman, who last picked up the award in 2017, has won every top-flight title race he has been involved in with the Parkhead club.
Sky Sports also reports that Gray was under pressure during his first season as head coach when Hibs dropped to the bottom of the table. However, a 17-game unbeaten run saw them move into third in the Premiership, and on the brink of European football. As well as beating Celtic at Easter Road, the 36-year-old – who has won the monthly award three times this season – has led them to two Edinburgh derby victories against Hearts and their first win at Ibrox since 2018.
John McGlynn, who won the award last season, is the final nominee after guiding Falkirk to the brink of a return to the Premiership for the first time since 2010. The Bairns top the Championship on goal difference ahead of the final day, having won promotion from League One last season without losing a match. If the 63-year-old was to win, he would be the first Scottish manager to clinch the title three times – having also claimed the award in 2011 when in charge of Raith Rovers.
In addition to the Manager of the Year award, Sky Sports reports that the SPFL has also announced the nominees for the SWPL Manager of the Year award. Hibernian’s Grant Scott is on the shortlist, alongside Glasgow City’s Leanne Ross, Rangers’ Jo Potter, and Motherwell’s Paul Brownlie.
The women’s player and young player of the year awards shortlist has also been revealed, with Hibernian’s 21-year-old forward Eilidh Adams up for both prizes. Celtic’s Emma Lawton, Katie Wilkinson of Rangers, and Samantha van Diemen from Glasgow City are also nominated for the POTY prize. Erin Husband of Hearts, Rangers’ Laura Berry, and Hannah Jordan from the Spartans make up the young player shortlist.
Finally, Sky Sports reports that the Scottish Premiership Goal of the Season award is also up for grabs, with 12 nominees in contention. Aberdeen duo Topi Keskinen and Kevin Nisbet, Celtic’s Callum McGregor, Daizen Maeda, Reo Hatate, and Cameron Carter-Vickers, Dundee’s Simon Murray, Louis Moult of Dundee United, Hibernian defender Jack Iredale, Rangers’ Hamza Igamane, Ross County’s Akil Wright, and Mikael Mandron of St Mirren are all in the running. The winners of all the awards will be announced at an ceremony in Glasgow on May 5.
