SPL Team of the Week

Unsurprisingly, Hearts are the most represented team with four of their players making the grade after outclassing Rangers at Tynecastle. The seven remaining outstanding performers are taken from the same amount of different teams.

Goalkeeper - Yves Ma-Kalambay - Hibernian

As Hibs fought back to earn a point at the Falkirk Stadium, their goalkeeper proved to be one of the key men in the team. Kept busy throughout, the Belgian made several crucial saves to prevent the Hibees falling further behind, before Colin Nish grabbed the all important equaliser

Defence - Christophe Berra - Hearts

The first of many Hearts players to make the team of the week, Berra was instrumental in both of Hearts' goals against Rangers. Twice he had the beating of Madjid Bougherra to knock the ball into the danger area, and twice Rangers were punished as a result. When the visitors rallied at the end of the match, Berra remained solid at the back.

Defence - Marius Zaliukas - Hearts

Zaliukas opened the scoring as Hearts romped to their shock victory at Tynecastle, popping up in the right place at the right time to prod home after a goalmouth scramble. As well as getting forward to pose a huge aerial threat when his side attacked, the Lithuanian kept Kris Boyd and Jean Claude Darcheville quiet at the other end.

Defence - Jackie McNamara - Falkirk

Along with Neil McCann, 35-year-old McNamara is a prominent member of the Falkirk old guard that has delighted fans and pundits alike so far this season. Despite his age, the defender still manages to get forward at every opportunity as well as shoring things up at the back, and his performance against Hibernian on Saturday was no different.

Midfield - Laryea Kingston - Hearts

Rangers simply could not handle the threat of 28-year-old Kingston as they were torn apart by the Jambos on Saturday. The Ghanaian star nodded home the second, and ultimately decisive goal of the match, and it was only due to some good saves by Allan McGregor that he did not boast more strikes at full time.

Midfield - Scott Brown - Celtic

Brown has become something of a regular in the team of the week, and after a couple of weeks of indifferent form he was back to his best as Celtic edged Inverness. His domineering approach to midfield play is so often fascinating to watch, and his exceptional passing and vision has been key to The Bhoys' success in the league this season

Midfield - Bruno Aguiar - Hearts

The Portuguese star is quickly becoming a hero at Tynecastle, and his outstanding display in Hearts’ defeat of Rangers can only have further endeared him to the Gorgie faithful. As a quick fire two goal salvo sunk the Ibrox side, it was twice Aguiar’s free kick deliveries that wreaked havoc in the Gers defence.

Midfield - James McCarthy - Hamilton

After an all round dismal display by the entire Hamilton side in the first half, someone had to take the match by the scruff of the neck if the Accies’ appalling run of results was to end against Kilmarnock on Saturday. McCarthy did just that, as he took on a new lease of life to boss the midfield at New Douglas Park, helping his team to their first win in 11 attempts in the process.

Midfield - Don Cowie - Inverness

As Inverness threatened to produce the second upset of the afternoon on Saturday, it was 25-year-old Cowie who looked most likely to breach the home goal at Celtic Park. As Celtic toiled in their attempts to shake off their European hangover, Cowie made life difficult for Andreas Hinkel on the left wing, with only an Artur Boruc block preventing him from grabbing a shock early opener.

Striker - Jon Daly - Dundee United

As the Tannadice team finally recaptured at least a speck of the form that has been missing in action for the last few weeks against St Mirren, it was Daly who was the key figure. He scored both goals as United romped to a 2-0 victory at Love Street, and was a constant handful for the Saints’ defence as the match progressed.

Striker - Willie Gibson - Kilmarnock

After a string of fine performances after coming on as a substitute, Gibson was finally rewarded with a place in the starting line-up as Kilmarnock crashed at Hamilton. In what was a largely tedious match at New Douglas Park, Gibson was a shining light for the visitors, linking well with Mehdi Taouil in particular to keep the Accies defence on their toes.