The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Fife pair join Griffiths and Wallace as award-winners
Leigh Griffiths has been crowned PFA Scotland player of the year for the first time.
The Hoops striker collected the prize at a glittering dinner ceremony at Glasgow’s Hilton Hotel last night.
His triumph came just a day after he struck his 39th goal of an impressive campaign as the Parkhead side effectively wrapped up their fifth straight title with a 3-1 win at Hearts.
Rangers boss Mark Warburton was named manager of the year after leading the club back into the top flight in his maiden campaign, while Celtic defender Kieran Tierney took the young players’ prize.
Griffiths’ success is the second time in four seasons he has been recognised for his individual efforts after collecting the Scottish Football Writers’ Association’s top prize as well as the union’s young player award following a 28-goal campaign with former club Hibernian back in 2013.
He was up against Dundee duo Kane Hemmings and Greg Stewart as well as Aberdeen’s Jonny Hayes but becomes the third Celt in as many years to lift the award following Kris Commons and Stefan Johansen.
Griffiths’ Celtic colleague Tierney was also celebrating as the unflappable 18-yearold capped off a fine debut term by lifting the Young Player of the Year trophy.
Tierney was the only top-flight candidate up against Rangers’ Barrie McKay as well as Hibs pair Jason Cummings and John McGinn, but he was the stand-out performer.
Meanwhile, the Championship player of the year award went to Rangers captain Lee Wallace, who has led by example with a series of outstanding displays for the league champions.
Faissal El Bakhtoui picked up the League One player of the year award after his 30 goals and stunning individual displays helped the Pars clinch the league title, while East Fife striker Nathan Austin – who will play for Falkirk next season – bagged the League Two prize after scoring 24 goals in the title success for Gary Naysmith’s side.