celtic players honoured by spfa

David Friel
A QUARTET of Celtic players have spoken of their delight at being nominated for this season’s Scottish Professional Footballers’ Association (SPFA) Player of the Year awards.

Artur Boruc, Lee Naylor and Shunsuke Nakamura are all in contention for the Player of the Year title, while Aiden McGeady is in the running for the Young Player of the Year award.

The winners of both awards will be announced at a Glasgow ceremony on Sunday, April 22 – following Celtic’s SPL match with Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.

Speaking to the official Celtic website at the launch of the awards at Hampden, defender Naylor said: “It’s been a good season for me and being nominated by your fellow professionals makes it a bit more special.

“It’s great that four of our players are in contention for these awards and it shows the strength we have in our squad. It’s a great honour for the club.

“Personally, the season has gone as well as I could have hoped. But there is still a bit to go and we all want to cross that finishing line in the league as soon as possible.”

Boruc said: “It’s a great honour to be chosen and I’m happy that my fellow professionals voted for me.

“I am happy with my performances this season, but hopefully I can improve further and become a better goalkeeper.”

Nakamura said: “I’m very happy to be nominated and I must also thank my team-mates and manager. Football is all about the team and that is why we have been successful so far this season.”

McGeady added: “It’s been a good season for myself and this nomination is a bonus. I feel I’ve come on a lot this season and I’m a more rounded player.

“A lot of good things have happened this year. I’ve been a regular in the team, I’ve signed a new contract and played in the last 16 of the Champions League.

“Being recognised by your fellow professionals is also special. They are the guys you are playing against every week and it’s good to get votes from them.”

Channel 67 subscribers can watch exclusive interviews with Artur Boruc, Lee Naylor and Aiden McGeady.


The full list of nominations is as follows:

SPFA Player of the Year

Artur Boruc (Celtic)
Lee Naylor (Celtic)
Shunsuke Nakamura (Celtic)
Russell Anderson (Aberdeen)

SPFA Young Player of the Year

Aiden McGeady (Celtic)
Scott Brown (Hibernian)
Steven Naismith (Kilmarnock)
Charlie Adam (Rangers)