And on to the second half of the Team Of The Year. Commiserations to supporters of Motherwell, Ross County and St. Mirren - none of your players even get an honourable mention. This may not come as a surprise to you, though.
Since five of the top six teams have spent most of the season playing 4-2-3-1 so that's the formation we've gone for.
Onwards we go...
MIDFIELDERS - RYAN JACK (ABERDEEN), GREG TANSEY (INVERNESS CT)
Honourable mentions - Jonny Hayes (Aberdeen), Nir Biton (Celtic), Stuart Armstrong (Dundee United/Celtic), Chris Millar (St. Johnstone)
There are plenty of very good players in this position, and I imagine there will be lots of different opinions; there was no unanimous pick amongst the three of us who chose the XI. For this writer, Tansey has been arguably Caley Thistle's best player this season; he takes so much responsibility for their passing game and their tempo and he's risen to it. He's also scored some cracking goals. Jack has had to play with several different partners in central midfield for Aberdeen, but it hasn't affected his consistency. I love his discipline, and I love his energy as well.
Hayes has been great this year, and if anything he was more effective in a deeper role than when he played wide. Biton wasn't a first choice for Celtic at the start of the season, but he certainly is now at the base of the midfield. Armstrong had an iffy start to the season but earned his move to Parkhead with some powerhouse performances for Dundee United in the winter, and has settled quickly at his new club. And Millar, at 32, has arguably had the best season of his career buzzing around the middle of the pitch for St. Johnstone.
ATTACKING MIDFIELDERS - GARY MACKAY-STEVEN (DUNDEE UNITED/CELTIC), STEFAN JOHANSEN (CELTIC), GREG STEWART (DUNDEE)
Honourable mentions - Niall McGinn (Aberdeen), Paul McGowan (Dundee), Tony Andreu (Hamilton Accies), Ali Crawford (Hamilton Accies), Marley Watkins (Inverness CT), Tope Obadeyi (Kilmarnock)
Johansen and Stewart were shoo-ins; the former thoroughly deserved to be named Player of the Year and has been outstanding all season long for Celtic whether playing through the centre or drifting in from the flank. Stewart has been a revelation, given he'd spent the last few years playing for Cowdenbeath. He's scored so many goals (and so many really good goals) that he can't be ignored. Mackay-Steven has always been electric on his day, but this was the season in which he started doing it every week rather than intermittently. If anything, he's been better since joining Celtic.
Andreu would have been in this team without question had he not left Scotland at the end of January. His ex-teammate Crawford is hopeless defensively, but is always dangerous in the final third. If Martin had his way, Niall McGinn would have been a pick, as he's regularly shone on the Aberdeen wing and provided so many goals via set-pieces. Paul McGowan has been back to his creative best, his off-field problems notwithstanding, and Marley Watkins might have been even better this season had he not constantly had to switch positions. Obadeyi was Kilmarnock's best player this season and is a personal favourite of mine for his strength and willingness, even if he is a subtle as a brick.
STRIKER - ADAM ROONEY (ABERDEEN)
Honourable mentions - Leigh Griffiths (Celtic), Nadir Ciftci (Dundee United)
This was only ever a two horse race, but Rooney shades it simply because he's scored regularly all season long. And so, at least at the time of writing, he's the league's top scorer. It's incredible that Aberdeen got him for nothing eighteen months ago - he's the best striker they've had for years, possibly decades.
Griffiths has been pretty much unplayable for the last two months, having finally convinced Ronny Deila to give him a run in the team. To think there was talk of him returning to Hibs last August! I think Ciftci's demeanour too often gives the impression of someone who doesn't care much, when actually he puts in a shift and has led the line well for United this season. I still think he'd be better in a more withdrawn role, though.
Right, that's it for another year...
Lawrie Spence (LS) has ranted and spouted his ill-informed opinions on Narey's Toepoker since September 2007. He has a life outside this blog. Honestly.
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