Celtic duo on awards shortlist

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Hoops midfielder Stefan Johansen has cemented his place in the champions’ line-up in his first full season, scoring 12 goals in 52 games, while team-mate Virgil van Dijk took his goal tally to 10 for the campaign in the 2-1 victory at Dundee on Wednesday evening.

The central defender has played two more games than Johansen, who sat out the win at Dens Park which lifted the League Cup holders eight points clear at the top of the table and within touching distance of their fourth successive title.

Aberdeen striker Adam Rooney has been instrumental in his side’s title challenge this season and he makes the list after scoring 27 goals in all competitions for Derek McInnes’ side.

Fellow striker Greg Stewart has had a similar impact at Dundee and completes the line-up after scoring all but one of his 15 goals in the league, helping his team claim a top-six finish on their return to the Premiership.

Inverness Caledonian Thistle forward Ryan Christie has been shortlisted for the PFA Scotland Young Player of the Year award after helping his club reach the final of the Scottish Cup for the first time.

Christie was outstanding in the semi-final victory over Celtic at Hampden, and his consistency throughout the campaign has helped the team to third place in the table going into the split.

On-loan Manchester City central defender Jason Denayer, who has created a solid partnership with Van Dijk at Celtic while chipping in with six goals at the other end of the pitch, has also been nominated.

And the pair are joined on the shortlist by Hearts duo Jamie Walker and Sam Nicholson after they helped the Jambos wrap up the Championship title in record time.

Walker has scored 11 goals this season, and midfielder Nicholson five, as Robbie Neilson’s side proved peerless in Scottish football’s second tier by securing the crown before Easter.