We all know it’s been a tough season for Celtic. Tough to watch at times too. And now with the Player of the Year poll out, Celtic fans have an almost impossible choice to make in the Men’s category.
Of course, it’s not all been bad, and the club is still very much in the hunt for two trophies this season. The league remains in the team's hands to win—the Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden beckons next week.
After losing the League Cup to Sunday’s opponent St. Mirren, it could be a nervous match again. Saturday’s 1-0 league win over the Buddies was very much that at times as the second half progressed. But Martin O’Neill’s team got through and picked up all the points.
Celtic Player of the Year Award has an almost impossible choice to make
Saturday’s win, like many matches before it, was a scrappy and uninspiring affair. And that’s what makes this year's Men’s Player Of The Year vote such a difficult and almost impossible choice. The team rarely controlled a game and performed well for both halves. Individual players have impressed at times and had some shockers at others. There is little in the way of consistency from the players in performance terms.
The options for Men’s Player Of The Year choices underline the issue. There are seven players to select from this season. Sometimes that can be too many to choose just one from. If only that were the case this year. Many fans might be looking for a ‘None of the above’ button this time round.
Celtic 2026 Men’s Player of the Year Candidates
- Liam Scales
- Auston Trusty
- Kieran Tierney
- Benjamin Nygren
- Callum McGregor
- Hyunjun Yang
- Arne Engels
All of those players can point to a brilliant game or performance. But the vote is about the season, it’s not Man of the Match. Scales and Trusty have had some excellent matches, but have been weak and disappointing in others. Tierney has had his moments and added vital goals and assists. But there are times when he has been ineffective, and he still seems to struggle to complete an entire game.
Nygren remains an enigma. Top scorer, though that has faded in recent weeks. His overall play and passing remain disappointing and weaken the midfield trio. McGregor too has struggled; perhaps that injury is holding him back. He doesn't seem as effective or as penetrating with the ball as in previous years.
Celtic choices are the best of an average bunch
Then we have Yang and Engels making up the seven. Yang, to be fair, is probably having his best season, but in patches. He remains inconsistent; there's quite a gap between his best and worst games. Engels can often disappear from a game. He perhaps doesn't get enough credit at other times, but his recent injury hasn't helped his case. You feel as if there is a lot more to come, but aren't sure if we will see it in a hoops shirt.
And there are the choices. I’m leaning towards either Nygren, based on his goals, or Yang on his top games. Normally, I’d be looking for a player with a real wow factor over most of the season. I’m not seeing that for any of the contenders this year. I guess we will maybe have to just accept that we are voting for the best of an average bunch this time round. Or give the vote a miss.
If you want to make your choice, the poll at Celtic FC remains open until 12pm on Thursday, April 23. As an incentive to vote, you could win one of three signed shirts. There are also polls for goals of the year from both the men's and the women's sides, plus women’s and young player of the year.