With the Scottish Premiership entering the final quarter of the season, it is time to look at some of the players who could be in the running for Player of the Year. Here are our five contenders.
Jota – Celtic
Jota was one of several players new Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou brought to the club during the summer, with the Australian overseeing a squad rebuild.
The 22-year-old arrived from Benfica on a season-long loan deal and he has performed excellently for the Hoops as they seek to reclaim their Premiership title.
He has been a creative force for the club and has also been useful in front of goal, netting five times this season.
In October and November, he was named Premiership Player of the Month, and with a 7.5million Euro option in his contract, Celtic could well look to sign him on a permanent deal this summer.
Kyogo Furuhashi – Celtic
Like a lot of Celtic’s summer signings, little was known about Japanese star Kyogo Furuhashi, but Postecoglou, who arrived from Japan, was convinced the forward could score goals at the level.
His pace and clever movement saw him instantly win the heart of Celtic fans and he has so far scored 16 goals in 26 matches across all competitions.
Kyogo has spent the last two months out injured and it could be argued that Celtic would be a long way out in front at the top of the standings had the 27-year-old been available during that period.
James Tavernier – Rangers
Rangers captain James Tavernier is one of the most reliable performers in the Scottish Premiership and this season has been no different.
After leading the Gers to an unbeaten season last year, this campaign has not been quite as straightforward, but Tavernier is still popping up with plenty of goals and assists.
The right-back has netted 10 times across all competitions to date, including goals in each leg of Rangers’ superb Europa League win against Borussia Dortmund.
Meanwhile, no player in the Scottish top flight has produced more assists than the 30-year-old this season.
Alfredo Morelos – Rangers
Alfredo Morelos has been consistently linked with a move away from Rangers over recent seasons, but he has stuck with the Gers and remains their main focal point up top.
His disciplinary record has markedly improved and he still continues to be a reliable asset in front of goal.
The Colombia international has netted 17 in all competitions this season and has particularly shone over recent months, scoring eight in his last 11 matches.
Regan Charles-Cook – Ross County
Former Charlton Athletic and Gillingham forward Regan Charles-Cook is loving life up in the Scottish Premiership with Ross County and he is currently the league’s top scorer.
The 25-year-old joined the Staggies in June 2020 and only managed to score twice last season, with both goals coming in the Scottish League Cup.
A total transformation has happened this season through, and Charles-Cook, playing in a more advanced role, has scored 13 times in the Scottish Premiership to date.
Most of those goals have come recently, as he has netted eight in his last ten.
Those strikes have helped Ross County keep their heads above water in the survival battle, as they lie tenth in the table, seven points clear of the relegation play off place.
