Shankland, Watson & Rangers win PFA awards

Lawrence Shankland has been named PFA Scotland player of the year.

The Hearts captain, 28, has scored 28 goals for his club across all competitions this season and is the Scottish Premiership's top scorer with 21.

The Scotland forward was voted by his peers ahead of Celtic midfielder Matt O'Riley and Rangers' Jack Butland and James Tavernier, whose team-mate Rabbi Matondo won goal of the season for his late equaliser in the 3-3 draw with Celtic.

Kilmarnock midfielder David Watson, 19, was named the young player of the year.

Rangers won both SWPL player and young player of the year awards as Rachel Rowe and Mia McAulay led the votes, and head coach Jo Potter's recognition as manager of the year made it a hat-trick for the SWPL Cup winners.

Former Liverpool, Rangers and Scotland player Graeme Souness, who also managed at Anfield and Ibrox, won a special merit award at Sunday's awards ceremony.

"It's a trophy that not many players outside the Old Firm win," Shankland told PFA Scotland.

"I'm delighted and it's a really proud moment. It shows that you've made an impact and an impression on other teams in the league and not just your own and that's always nice to hear."

Watson commented: "It's amazing. This is a great achievement.

"I'd like to say thank you to my coaches when I was younger. And obviously, the gaffer [Derek McInnes] for trusting me to play and giving me my first full-time start."

Potter reflected on "a huge honour" and added: "It's such a prestigious award and it's nice to be able to accept it, especially it being the first year it's been up to be won. It's big for us as a club and it's big for me to represent my club."

Matondo thanked everyone who had voted for him and said: "It's a good feeling. To help the team get a vital point in the end was a great feeling. It felt amazing."

And a "chuffed" Souness said: "I've had the most unbelievable career in football playing with great players in great teams, winning lots of trophies but this is an individual award, of course it's something special."