Double Awards Sucess For Celtic

Photo by Jeff Holmes

Celtic claimed more success in their title-winning weekend when Stefan Johansen and Jason Denayer won a Cheque Centre PFA Scotland awards double.

Johansen was voted player of the year by his fellow professionals with 19-year-old Belgium international Denayer bagging the young player prize.

But Celtic were again denied a treble by Inverness as John Hughes beat Ronny Deila to the manager of the year trophy.

Johansen won the top award after scoring 12 goals so far in his first full season at the club, becoming an increasingly influential figure as the season progressed.

The Norwegian, who will discuss his prize at a media conference on Tuesday, beat team-mate Virgil van Dijk, Dundee forward Greg Stewart and Aberdeen striker Adam Rooney to the prize.

Denayer has impressed at the heart of Celtic's defence after joining on a season-long loan from Manchester City. And he savoured a memorable weekend after Aberdeen's defeat at Dundee United on Saturday saw Celtic retain the Scottish Premiership crown, following their 5-0 win over Dundee on Friday night.

Denayer said: "I have worked hard and for my first season I couldn't have expected any more.

"I have won the league, a cup and young player of the year. So it was a very good move.

"It was a lot better than I could have hoped. I just expected to come here and play some games. I have played all the games when I was fit and we won the title.

"I was with some other players on Saturday and we saw on Twitter that we had won the title so we had a good time.

"It's amazing, two good things happened for me - I think it's been the best weekend for me."

Hughes won the manager of the year award after leading Inverness to the William Hill Scottish Cup final with a semi-final win over Celtic, and a probable top-three place in the Scottish Premiership.

The former Falkirk, Hibernian and Hartlepool manager finished ahead of Hearts head coach Robbie Neilson, Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes as well as Deila.

An emotional Hughes said: "I'm overwhelmed. I'm humble. I never thought when I took up football I would be standing up picking up a manager of the year award.

"I just did it for the love of the game so to get that accolade is fantastic, but it's not about me, it's about the players. I hope that reflects on the hard work we do up in Inverness. They are a wonderful bunch of boys to work with, they give me everything they have got day in, day out.

"And I hope it reflects on the style of play because when we are at it, we are a good side. The award is for everyone concerned at Inverness from the chairman through to the supporters."

Despite Hearts' runaway success in the Scottish Championship, Hibernian midfielder Scott Allan was named player of the year in the division.

Aberdeen striker Declan McManus won the League One award after hitting 23 goals during a season-long loan spell at champions Morton while Arbroath striker Bobby Linn was voted best player in League Two.

St Mirren midfielder Stephen Mallan won goal of the season for his solo effort against Dundee at Dens Park in December, when he shimmied and nutmegged his way from his own half to the edge of the box before curling home.

Dundee United forward Jordan Moore won a special merit award after overcoming skin cancer to bounce back with a season on loan at Queen's Park.