PREMIERSHIP TEAM OF THE YEAR
17/04/2026
PFA Scotland are delighted to announce the Premiership Team of the Year for 2025/26, supported by Stagecoach.
The Team of the Year is voted by fellow professionals across the Premiership, with players given the opportunity to choose an XI in a 4-3-3 formation. This season’s team has representatives from four clubs.
Goalkeeper
Calum Ward (Motherwell)
Nobody in the Scottish Premiership has more clean sheets than Ward – setting a new club record for Motherwell in the process with 17. The Englishman has been an important part of Jens Berthel Askou’s expansive style and will be key to the Steelmen’s push for European football.
Defender
Paul McGinn (Motherwell)
The Motherwell skipper makes Team of the Year after impressing Scottish Premiership players with his incredible consistency and versatility. McGinn has made a big impact across the season, contributing heavily to the league’s best defence.
Craig Halkett (Heart of Midlothian)
A rock at the back for the capital side, Craig Halkett has enjoyed his best season in maroon. The 30-year-old defender has been influential in both boxes, scoring four league goals as well as providing security at the back.
Emmanuel Fernandez (Rangers)
A summer signing from Peterborough United, the towering defender has been a standout for Danny Rohl’s side. Fernandez has been a mainstay in the team under the Rohl, scoring five league goals and contributing to the club’s 12 clean sheets.
Harry Milne (Heart of Midlothian)
Signed from Partick Thistle in January 2025, Harry Milne has been impressive for Derek McInnes’ side this term. Providing pace and power down the left flank, Milne has seven goal contributions in his first full season in the Scottish topflight.
Midfielder
Benjamin Nygren (Celtic)
With 20 goal contributions from midfield, players across Scotland have voted Nygren as one of the division’s top players. Nygren’s influence has been clear to see since his summer move from Nordsjælland and the Swede remains an important part of Martin O’Neil’s Celtic side.
Elliot Watt (Motherwell)
A lynchpin in midfield for Askou’s side, Watt has developed into one of the league’s best midfielders following his summer switch from St Johnstone. Bringing a level of composure and creativity to the middle of the park for the Steelmen.
Elijah Just (Motherwell)
Providing an unmatched sense of style and flair across the season, Elijah Just continued to turn heads in his first Premiership campaign. The New Zealand international has seven goals and seven assists since his summer move to Lanarkshire.
Forward
Tawanda Maswanhise (Motherwell)
Nobody in the Scottish Premiership has scored more goals than the Zimbabwean international this term. Maswanhise has been a constant threat for defences across the topflight all season and will continue to be influential as Motherwell look to bring European nights back to ML1.
Lawrence Shankland (Heart of Midlothian)
After signing a new three year deal in the summer, Lawrence Shankland could prove to be Hearts’ best bit of business, as the captain continues to show his level of influence in an incredibly exciting Scottish Premiership season. Shankland has 13 goals and 3 assists for the Jambos, so far this season.
Claudio Braga (Heart of Midlothian)
Following a move from the Norwegian second tier, Hearts’ fans have found a new cult hero in Claudio Braga. The Portuguese forward has 14 league goals and 3 assists, making him a popular choice for players across the Premiership when selecting this season’s Team of the Year.
