JUST IN: Lawrence Shankland WINs Player of the Year, decides to sign contract between Celtic and Rangers ahead summer.

JUST IN: Lawrence Shankland WINs Player of the Year, decides to sign contract between Celtic and Rangers ahead summer.

After much deliberation, the commentators have concluded that Lawrence Shankland ought to be named Player of the Year.

The PFA Scotland Premiership Player of the Year candidates were announced earlier today,

and Matt O’Riley of Celtic, Jack Butland of Rangers, and James Tavernier of Hearts will compete for the top honor.

With Glasgow’s top two teams vying for the Scottish Premiership championship and the Scottish Cup at Hampden at the end of May,

all four players have enjoyed successful seasons thus far for their respective teams.

Just as the supporters are getting set to dust off their passports for another trip,

Shankland and his Hearts teammates have all but ensured third place and football in the European group stage next season.

The Jambos captain, who has scored a lot of goals and made significant contributions to Steven Naismith’s team, has a big say in that.

At Ibrox, Tavernier has excelled once more, contributing numerous goals and assists,

while Butland has been nothing short of extraordinary on the opposite end.

Just a small portion of his first season in Govan was shown by his amazing save to deny James Bolton in Paisley.

O’Riley has been a vital player for Brendan Rodgers’ champions all around the city.

His cool demeanor on the ball is supported by plenty more goals this season,

and his Panenka penalty in the derby at Ibrox demonstrated his polished demeanor.

The four players who made the short list will have a thrilling evening as the winner will be revealed.

In an attempt to add a significant personal achievement to his resume,

one guy stands out above the rest for a variety of analysts on Clyde 1 Superscoreboard, Go Radio, and PLZ soccer.

Kenny Miller

“To win it? I think Lawrence Shankland. I think he will win it. Jack Butland will run him close. Everything John [caller to Clyde 1] says is bang on. He’s barely put a foot wrong. You have only got to look to 24 hours ago and that save to stop [James] Bolton at such a pivotal moment in the game. St Mirren had just equalised and that is a certain goal. Bolton couldn’t believe it. It was a world class save. Jack Butland has made a number of them over the course of the season. But I think this will be Lawrence Shankland’s year.”

Lee McCulloch

“I think Shanks [Lawrence Shankland] has had a tremendous season. I think [Jack] Butland has and I think Matt O’Riley started the season as by far the best in the league and has just dipped slightly. The Rangers captain [James Tavernier] has 20 plus goals for a right-back. But I just see it Shankland winning it. Jack Butland probably second, James Tavernier third and Matt O’Riley fourth.”

However, with just a year left on his Tynecastle deal, Hearts will be braced for summer interest in their biggest asset. And Shankland himself admits he could have a massive decision to make during the close season.

“Conversations will probably be had in the summer,” he said. “I am getting into the last year of my contract at Hearts and there is always speculation at those times.

“There will come a time when conversations need to be had but for now everything is still running smoothly. I am comfortable with the position, the club are the same, so we will see what the summer brings.

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