SPL Team of the year - part 1

It's that time again, folks. Yes, for the second year, I intend to extol my wisdom regarding the top performers of the season. And you guys get to shoot down my suggestions and arguments in flames. Bring it on!

Anyway, I shall limit it to just a few posts this year, rather than drawing out for weeks like last Spring. So we shall start with the SPL, and with the goalkeeper and back four...

SPL TEAM OF THE YEAR

GOALKEEPER: Lukasz Zaluska (Dundee United)
Honourable mentions: Tomas Cerny (Hamilton), Jamie Langfield (Aberdeen)

Couldn't face putting in an Old Firm goalie here, with blunders haunting Boruc and McGregor both on and off the field. But Zaluska has earned his summer move to Parkhead with consistency and solidity in the United goal. Cerny, meanwhile, is likely to leave Hamilton for more prestigious pastures at the end of the campaign.

RIGHT BACK: Andreas Hinkel (Celtic)
Honourable mentions: Jamie Hamill (Kilmarnock), Robbie Neilson (Hearts)

Hinkel walks it. The big German has been in excellent form all year, from both an attacking and a defensive point of view, and is even back in his national squad. Hamill has been a rare shining light for Killie, despite preferring to play in a midfield role.

CENTRE BACKS: Gary Caldwell (Celtic), Lee Wilkie (Dundee United)
Honourable mentions: Majdid Bougherra (Rangers), Zander Diamond (Aberdeen)

As much as it pains me to say it, Caldwell has been fantastic, completely outshining McManus at the heart of Celtic's defence. A mate of mine pointed out that you can barely call Wilkie a footballer, but his lack of sophistication has not exactly counted against him this campaign. Meanwhile, Bougherra has been solid for Rangers, and, when he's fit, Diamond continues to develop into a fine young defender.

LEFT BACK: Sasa Papac (Rangers)
Honourable mentions: Paul Dixon (Dundee United), Steven Hammell (Motherwell)

No arguments here, as Papac, always solid defensively, has added a bit of attacking nous to his game this season. Dixon has made the step up from the first division easily and looks like he could still improve.

I look forward to hearing your opinions...

L.