Kris Boyd has named his Premiership Team of the Season – and it’s thrown up a few surprises.
Unlike most pundits or even the players themselves, via the PFA vote, he’s only selected four Rangers & Celtic players – two from either club.
So, the non-Old Firm teams have been given the kudos and attention they deserve this season, with two from Kilmarnock, one from St Mirren, one from Dundee one from Motherwell, one from Aberdeen and one from Hearts all involved.
He explained his rationale in his Scottish Sun column: “Goalkeeper is an easy one with JACK BUTLAND the Premiership’s stand-out No 1.
“If you think back to when he signed for Rangers last summer, I said then it was important not to compare him to the likes of Allan McGregor and Andy Goram.
“Everyone had to let him create his own story — and he’s certainly done that.
“I’m also picking his skipper and team-mate JAMES TAVERNIER at right-back. Sure, this guy has his critics — but his numbers are phenomenal and he’ll be missed whenever he leaves Ibrox.
“At Celtic, CAMERON CARTER-VICKERS is the best centre-back in Scotland by a country mile. On ability, he’s in everyone’s team. In the Premiership, he’s a Rolls-Royce.
“I’ve thought long and hard about who to play alongside him — and I’ve opted for St Mirren stopper ALEX GOGIC. It could have been Hearts’ Frankie Kent, Kilmarnock’s Stuart Findlay or Hoops pal Liam Scales.
“But Cypriot ace Gogic has found a home in Paisley after spells at Hamilton Accies and Hibs.
“Picking a third stopper was one of my tough calls and I’ve gone with LEWIS MAYO. The Killie defender has played in numerous positions this season, and he has shown plenty of versatility too! But I just had to get him in.
“Making the move from Ibrox to Rugby Park to get regular game time has worked out brilliantly for the big man.
“If Steve Clarke is looking to introduce a few youngsters into the Scotland set-up, then Mayo will be one he’s thinking about. Strong and versatile, Killie might struggle to keep hold of him this summer.
“His club team-mate DANNY ARMSTRONG gets a role on the right of midfield because he’s another who has been exceptional this season. Every time you watch Killie, you come away raving about him.
“There’s no doubt he’ll drive Derek McInnes mental at times, but he’s got that little bit of magic that wins games.
“Dundee’s LUKE McCOWAN is another great story. At 26, he’s no longer a young kid. But he’s grafted to get from Ayr United to Dundee, and is a massive player at Dens Park.
“In the middle of the park, Celtic’s MATT O’RILEY looked a stick-on for the Player of the Year in December.
He was then tipped for a big move in January and his form maybe suffered a consequence. But the Danish international has got back to his best in the last few weeks, and will have high hopes of getting the call to go to the Euros this summer.
“BLAIR SPITTAL has been playing in a bang-average Motherwell side, but has done well enough to earn a move to Hearts.
“I’ve always felt he’s had ability but only shown it in glimpses. But this has been the season when he’s been consistent every week.
“Up top, LAWRENCE SHANKLAND is one of the first names on my team-sheet.
“Aberdeen have been abysmal this season, but BOJAN MIOVSKI has still been outstanding at times for them. He’s not rapidly quick, but his movement is so clever that he sniffs out chances.”
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