Celtic forward Daizen Maeda has been named PFA Scotland Player of the Year, while Falkirk boss John McGlynn made history by claiming his third Manager of the Year title, capping off a season marked by both dominance and redemption.
The annual awards, voted on by players across all four SPFL divisions, further entrenched Celtic’s grip on individual honors, even as managerial acclaim stretched beyond the Premiership.
Celtic’s Reliable Engine Gets His Due
Maeda, 27, has been a relentless force in Brendan Rodgers’ frontline this season. The Japanese international’s numbers—33 goals and 12 assists—made his selection a near inevitability, confirming his influence in Celtic’s pursuit of yet another domestic crown.
This marks the ninth time in 11 years that a Celtic player has taken home the PFA’s top individual honor, an extraordinary streak that underscores the club’s consistency in both talent and success.
The award is also a nod to Maeda’s evolution from high-energy winger to complete forward. Often lauded for his tireless pressing and off-the-ball work, this season he added clinical finishing to his arsenal.
The short list he emerged from was no cakewalk:
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Callum McGregor, Celtic’s captain and midfield anchor
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Nicolas Kühn, the German winger who has impressed in his debut season
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Simon Murray, Dundee’s prolific frontman whose goals helped the club defy early-season expectations
But it was Maeda’s all-around contribution and explosiveness in big games that ultimately swayed the players’ votes.
McGlynn Breaks Managerial Records at Falkirk
While Maeda’s award was one of brilliance, John McGlynn’s recognition was about persistence, patience, and rebuilding from the ground up.
The 63-year-old guided Falkirk to a second successive title—this one returning the club to the Scottish top flight after a 15-year absence.
In doing so, he became the first manager to win the PFA Scotland Manager of the Year award three times, having previously collected the honor in 2011 with Raith Rovers and again last season.
“It’s not just about one great year. It’s been a long project,” McGlynn said following the announcement. “To take Falkirk from where we were to where we are now—it’s one of the most satisfying spells of my career.”
His competitors this season were:
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Brendan Rodgers, leading Celtic to another likely double
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David Gray, the interim Hibernian boss credited with stabilizing a turbulent campaign in Edinburgh
Still, it was McGlynn’s narrative arc—and the sheer scale of Falkirk’s climb—that set him apart.
Lennon Miller: Future Star Emerges
In the Young Player of the Year category, Motherwell’s Lennon Miller took home the prize. At just 18, the midfielder has earned plaudits across the board for his composed displays, mature decision-making, and surprising physical presence for a teenager.
Miller’s performances were key in Motherwell’s mid-table stability, and many now tip him as a future full international for Scotland.
He beat out:
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James Wilson (Hearts)
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Arne Engels (Celtic)
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Hamza Igamane (Rangers)
The vote reaffirms a growing trend in Scottish football: more teenagers are being trusted with big roles at top clubs—and delivering.
Celtic Dominance, But Challenges Emerge
While Maeda’s win continues Celtic’s dominance in player accolades, it wasn’t a complete sweep. The managerial and young player awards highlight a diversifying Scottish football landscape, where success stories are emerging well beyond the Old Firm.
Falkirk’s return will bring fresh competition to the Premiership, and players like Miller suggest a wave of homegrown talent is ready to reshape the league’s future.
And yet, for now, Celtic remain the standard. With Rodgers’ side closing in on another title, Maeda’s crowning moment feels like both a reward and a warning: to unseat Celtic, others must do more than keep pace—they must outlast players like Maeda.
