2011-12 Narey's Toepoker Team of the Year part 1

It's that time again folks.  I've done a Narey's Toepoker Team of the year for the SPL three times before - I'm worried the universe will end if I don't come up with one this year either.

Here's the goalie and the back four for 2011-12.  Anyone expecting the inclusion of Chris Smith (Dunfermline), Sean O'Hanlon (Hibs), Patrick Ada (Kilmarnock), David Proctor (Inverness) and Daniel Majstorovic (Celtic) will be somewhat disappointed, and probably needs to see a psychologist.

GOALKEEPER: Cammy Bell (Kilmarnock)
Honourable mentions: Fraser Forster (Celtic), Darren Randolph (Motherwell)

Bell's once-in-a-lifetime performance in the League Cup final was enough in itself to get him in this team; at times it was like there was an invisible forcefield around his goal.  It wasn't his only good performance this season, and it's not surprising that he's been linked with moves south this summer.  The behemoth Forster improved on last season and was very reliable; Randolph's performances at Fir Park got him within a whisker of Ireland's Euro 2012 squad.

LEFT BACK: Paul Dixon (Dundee United)
Honourable mentions: Steven Hammell (Motherwell), Jeroen Tesselaar (St. Mirren)

Dixon definitely is off-ski this summer, presumably south of the border.  Injuries had held him back a bit in previous seasons, but he was outstanding on the left hand side of the Arabs' defence this season.  Solid at the back, yet also more than capable of delivering a good cross ball, expect him to get his first Scotland cap next season.  Hammell was solid as ever in Motherwell's backline, while Dutchman Tesselaar was a standout for St. Mirren this season.

RIGHT BACK: Adam Matthews (Celtic)
Honourable mentions: Tom Hateley (Motherwell), Dave Mackay (St. Johnstone)

I was hugely impressed by Matthews, who must be a wildcard to make Team GB for the Olympics.  His positional sense is better than I expected from a raw 20 year old.  Add in his delivery from corners and long throw ins and you have a young man who will go on to better things than Celtic.  Hateley, mostly a midfield player earlier in his career, has made right-back his position for Well, while I was always impressed by the veteran Mackay when I saw him play for St. Johnstone.

CENTRE BACKS: Carlos Bocanegra (Rangers), Charlie Mulgrew (Celtic)
Honourable mentions: Andy Webster (Hearts), Shaun Hutchinson (Motherwell)

I could have put Mulgrew in any of about four different positions.  I never thought I'd see the day, but Mulgrew was Scottish football's outstanding player this season.  Quite apart from his incredible 9 goals this season, he was consistently excellent in defence and midfield.  Bocanegra was the best player in Rangers' backline; the American showed a reliability somewhat lacking in his partner Doian Goian!  Webster was excellent for Hearts and looks like he's getting back to his best, while youngster Hutchinson is developing into a very promising centre half indeed.

I'll come up with the other half of the team later in the week.

L.