Peers pay homage to Rudi

IT WAS an attention-grabbing performance and it may just be enough to curry Paul Hartley some favour in the Player of the Year running. But, if Terry Butcher's view is correct, as the voting slips are lodged in time for the Scottish Football Writers' award dinner on April 23 and the Player's Player equivalent seven days later, last weekend's Hampden hat-trick is unlikely to win the Hearts midfielder many nominations from his Hibs adversaries.

Despite captaining Rangers to three league titles and two league cup victories, the Motherwell manager never won Player of the Year plaudits from his peers or the football-writing fraternity, but he says that he prefers to believe the oversight had more to do with personalities and politics than personal performances.
7 Wonders

"You can't vote for team-mates and, in my opinion, the opposition shouldn't like you. They should resent you. I may be kidding myself but I prefer to think that's why I never won the award!"

What that says about his friend and assistant coach at Motherwell, Maurice Malpas, is up to them to decide but what isn't up for debate is the fact that the former Dundee United defender is the last non-Old Firm player to lay claim to either accolade. That was 15 years ago, when his efforts were acknowledged by the written media.

In the period since, Rangers employees have won that title eight times (Brian Laudrup and Barry Ferguson are double winners), while Celtic have earned it six, with Henrik Larsson another to bag a brace. The players themselves have not rewarded a non-Old Firm player since 1990. But, now, a decade and a half on, while the likes of Shaun Maloney and Kris Boyd are among the frontrunners, there is the chance that the big two may have to release their grip on at least one, if not both of the awards.

Amid those campaigning for Maloney and Boyd, there are a sizeable number of players who would prefer to reward the goal tally and skills of Hearts' Rudi Skacel. The fact his form has faded slightly is considered no reason to overlook him, they insist, instead the focus must be on his 16-goal contribution, bolstered during the latest round of games, which have rendered him second-top goalscorer in Scotland. That is a feat his peers applaud in a midfielder. They have also been impressed by his quick integration into the Scottish game, his endeavour to entertain and claim that the recent dip in form is only noticeable because of the impact he made in the start of the campaign was so exceptional.

But, if Butcher's claims are correct, the question is whether his antics at the Falkirk Stadium a few weeks ago have cost him votes.

While the Old Firm's Maloney and Boyd are also likely to feature on the football writers' short list, they could again be pipped, this time by either Craig Gordon or Paul Hartley, who consistency and individual contributions at vital stages have helped salvage or secure the points which have helped them, thus far, upset the previously-predictable and almost pre-ordained Old Firm one-two at the top of the table.

Hartley's heroics at Hampden to take the Tynecastle side to the Scottish Cup final have also been noted, as has the further integration of the pair into the first-choice Scotland side.

The individual accolade would not be the highlight of what has been a remarkable season for the Hearts contingent but the fact that the honours are so rarely bestowed on players plying their trade outwith Celtic Park or Ibrox, will render it meaningful, according to Malpas.

"It's different from league and cup medals - I don't think anyone would ever claim to start the season with the ambition of winning a player of the year award. But it is nice if your efforts are recognised.

"It is nice because normally, as footballers, we win and lose as a team and this is one of the few times when you can get the individual recognition, whether it's from the writers or your fellow pros. And, for players who haven't won the league or the cup that season, if you win a player of the year award it means you have still achieved something throughout the season and I think it does mean more if you are a non-Old Firm player because it is usually a player from a team that is successful in the league or cup and the big two usually have them tied up between them. It's rare to have a season when one of the rest of us are challenging them so people struggle to see past them when voting."

But this year, the outcome is as much in the balance as ever. In the past one or two have vied. This term, the race for the award has mirrored the look of the league table. There are more than Celtic and Rangers in the mix this term.

That's why Steven Naismith of Kilmarnock and Calum Elliot of Hearts are the key contenders in the Young Player category. That's why the short lists for the top awards will not be Old Firm-centric.

"Unless there is a real stand-out from one of the other teams in the league, then people usually vote for someone who plays with a successful team. And I suppose there is something in the theory that people vote for who they like. It's a fact that most players throughout Scotland grew up with a Celtic or Rangers orientation, and because they can't vote for one of their own team-mates, they usually can't see past players from those clubs."

Malpas' talents and contribution to the Dundee United cause in 1991 was rewarded by the writers and he scoffs at the idea that one award holds more credence than the other.

"With the Players' Player a lot of it comes down to how well a certain players does in the games against you, so you are basing the vote on that rather than how a player has done throughout the whole season. Maybe that means that the football writers one carries more weight, because they get more of an overview. I don't know."

He might not know for certain but, a guy whose career would surely have served up more medals were it not for the United Hampden hoodoo, he clings to the idea that his was the weightier personal accolade. It is one of the few domestic bragging rights he has over Butcher. Memories may fade and medals may become tarnished but the history books dictate he was the best that year. And, even now, years after he hung up his boots, it reminds the kids in the Motherwell dressing room that he does know what he's talking about.

The list of past winners sees him in exalted company and although it's a team game, it's nice, occasionally, to stand out from the crowd.
Who the SPL players would vote for
CELTIC- Mark Wilson

Team-mate- SHAUN MALONEY

He is terrific to play alongside and his work-rate is incredible. I didn't really notice it when I played for Dundee United, but he gets through so much work and, as a full-back playing behind him, he makes it so easy for you. I think he thoroughly deserves to be Scotland's Player of the Year. If I could vote for him, I would, without a doubt.

Opposition player- PAUL HARTLEY

He has been all over the place this year and plays to a high level with amazing consistency. He showed his ability with that hat-trick in the semi-final.
HEARTS- Paul Hartley

Team-mate- CRAIG GORDON

He's so good that I don't think I even need to explain.

Opposition player- STILIAN PETROV

He is a class midfielder and has been consistent all season.
RANGERS- Alex Rae

Team-mate- CHRIS BURKE

The wee man has been brilliant for us this season, not just domestically but in the Champions League as well.

Opposition player- RUDI SKACEL

He impressed me because, although he was new to Scottish football, he started the season so well and has settled in brilliantly.
HIBERNIAN- Gary Caldwell

Team-mate- IVAN SPROULE

Has terrific ability and workrate. He is a very exciting player, provides terrific entertainment and has weighed in with important goals.

Opposition player- KRIS BOYD

He has to be admired for his incredible consistency. Kicking off the season at Kilmarnock then moving in the transfer window to Rangers, he has still scored an incredible amount of goals.
KILMARNOCK- Gary Locke

Team-mate- ALLAN JOHNSTON

He's top class and has been the difference between last season and doing so well this season. He's been on top form consistently and the switch into a more central midfield role means he is on the ball more often.

Opposition player- RUDI SKACEL

He probably faded away a wee bit as the season went on but he deserves it for his fantastic start to the season.
ABERDEEN- Zander Diamond

Team-mate- RUSSELL ANDERSON.

He has been outstanding, performing to a very high standard week in, week out. As captain he sets the right example for the rest of us and, this term, he has also weighed in with some vital goals.

Opposition player- SHAUN MALONEY

He has had a great season and is a major factor in Celtic winning the title. He also deserves enormous credit for the way he has come back from a serious injury to not only get back into the Celtic team but hold down a regular place and also earn his way into the Scotland set-up.
MOTHERWELL- Jim Hamilton

Team-mate- GRAEME SMITH

He was brought in originally as the back-up keeper but he has earned the right to be playing every week and has kept us in a lot of games and saved us points. I don't think he can be far away from the Scotland squad.

Opposition player- SHAUN MALONEY

He has been probably the most consistent and one of the most influential players in the team that's won the title. He wasn't even a favourite to be in the starting line-up in the summer but he has taken his chance and done really, really well.
INVERNESS CT- Darren Dodds

Team-mate- BARRY WILSON

He may be getting on a wee bit but he is probably as fit now as he has ever been and has been our most consistent player this season. When he is on song, the team is on song and when we are not, he is as good as any of the rest of us when it comes to rolling up his sleeves and trying to dig out a result.

Opposition player- STILIAN PETROV

He has had a really good season. As well as his hard work in the midfield, he has also chipped in with goals when the team have needed them most.
DUNDEE UTD- Grant Bebner

Team-mate- MARK KERR

He doesn't get the credit he deserves. I play alongside him in the middle of the park and know how much he contributes.

Opposition player- KEVIN THOMSON

He is the kind of player I like. Although he is still young, he likes to get involved in the game and never shirks. Having fought back from a horrific injury, he has been one of Hibs' most influential players, in a season where they reached the Scottish Cup semi finals and are fighting for a UEFA cup place.
DUNFERMLINE- Mark Burchill

Team-mate- GARY MASON

Has maintained his own performance levels and been consistent. Probably one of the most vital cogs for us. Sometimes overlooked by outsiders, his team-mates all know what he does and respect him.

Opposition player- RUDI SKACEL

Has contributed so many goals from midfield. He burst on to the scene at the start of the season and to have a player who can score almost 20 goals from the midfield is a huge boost to any team.

FALKIRK- Danny McBreen

Team-mate- KENNY MILNE

He has been the most consistent and most committed player in our team all season. He gives 100% in every game and is an excellent performer. We all rely on him.

Opposition player- KRIS BOYD

Shaun Maloney deserves praise as well and both deserve the award. If Rudi Skacel had continued the way he started the season he might have been another contender but he has not been as consistent as the other two.
LIVINGSTON- Greg Strong

Team-mate- DAVE MACKAY

Our Mr Consistent at right-back, I think he has played in every single game in league and cup for us this season. The praise often goes to someone who scores one or two memorable goals but he deserves it for the way he has gone out in every game and tried to do the right thing.

Opposition player- KRIS BOYD

Gets my vote, not necessarily for what he has done since joining Rangers but for his goals and his efforts at Kilmarnock. It is easier to score as part of an Old Firm side where superstar players help carve out more chances but it was a tough ask at Kilmarnock and he proved he is a great finisher. As a defender you have to watch him all the time or he'll punish you.

Taken from the Scotsman