Team of the year: centre midfield

SPL: STEPHEN HUGHES (Motherwell), BARRY FERGUSON (Rangers)
honourable mentions: Morgaro Gomis (Dundee United), Scott Arfield (Falkirk), Scott Brown (Celtic)

It's hard to argue with these two; Ferguson's form has waned in the last month or so as his ankle injury caught up for him, but his performances for both club and country earlier this season were reminiscent of the Scotland captain at his very best. Hughes, meanwhile, has revitalised his career after a nightmare period down south, and has been at the centre of Motherwell's best stuff this season.

EPL: CESC FABREGAS (Arsenal), JAVIER MASCHERANO (Liverpool)
honourable mentions: Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Gareth Barry (Aston Villa), Elano (Manchester City)

Fabregas is a shoo-in. This has been the young Spaniard's breakthrough season, though tiredness has caught up with him (and his teammates) more recently. However, his range of passing and composure on the ball, plus the fact he has added goals to his game, make him the best central midfielder in British football. But Mascherano?! Well, if you take away his daft antics at Old Trafford, he is surely a candidate for the best midfield anchor in the world, not just the Premier League. He has a great engine, can win the ball and distribute it, and has fantastic positional sense. If you want a balanced midfield, he is the man.

L.