Celtic dominate Player of the Year Award nominations

Hayes is among four candidates along with Scott Sinclair, Moussa Dembele and Stuart Armstrong.

Dembele is also among three Celtic players on the young player shortlist along with Kieran Tierney, Patrick Roberts and Hibernian striker Jason Cummings.

Sinclair was voted Celtic's top player this season by both his team-mates and Hoops fans after hitting 25 goals so far in his debut campaign.

Armstrong did not secure a regular starting place until late October but the central midfielder is on 14 goals and set up a late winner on his Scotland debut against Slovenia in March.

Republic of Ireland winger Hayes has scored eight goals for Aberdeen and helped them to two cup finals and a nine-point lead over Rangers in second place in the Ladbrokes Premiership. He has edged out the likes of Celtic skipper Scott Brown in the voting among his fellow professionals.

Dembele has scored 32 goals after displacing last year's PFA Scotland player of the year, Leigh Griffiths, as Celtic's first-choice striker.

Left-back Tierney missed three months of the season through injury but is still in line to claim the young player prize for a second consecutive campaign, while on-loan Manchester City winger Roberts makes the top four after hitting seven goals.

Cummings, who has scored 23 goals to help Hibs to promotion, was last week named on the shortlist for PFA Scotland's Championship player of the year too.

The winners will be announced on Sunday night at PFA Scotland's annual awards dinner in Glasgow.

Hoops midfielder Armstrong recalled a fine season to date: There has been a lot of good points in the season, winning the (Betfred) Cup final in November was a good moment for the team.

"Winning the league. When the season is all finished we can look back and be pleased about a lot of aspects and the personal highlight was the Scotland cap (against Slovenia).

"It has worked well for me not thinking too far ahead, focusing on each day and each training session and each game and keeping things simple."

Team-mate Sinclair said: "To get nominated by your peers, it means so much to me and it goes to show the hard work I have put in.

"It is great to be nominated."

Hayes admitted he was surprised to be among so many Celtic nominees: "They have had a great season individually and as a team.

"It is surprising to see anybody other than a Celtic player I suppose, today.

"I am delighted to be part of it. It is nice to get a bit of recognition, especially from fellow pros.

"I would be lying if I said I expected it. I am delighted to take part - but more surprised than anything that I am down here today."

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