Celtic duo in running for PFA awards

Celtic's Leigh Griffiths has been named on the PFA Scotland Player of the year shortlist.

The striker joins Aberdeen winger Jonny Hayes and Dundee pair pair Kane Hemmings and Greg Stewart among the nominees.

Celtic left-back Kieran Tierney is the only top-flight candidate for the young player award.

The 18-year-old joins Rangers winger Barrie McKay and Hibernian pair John McGinn and Jason Cummings on the list.

Former Rangers and Cowdenbeath striker Hemmings has scored 25 goals so far in his first season at Dens Park after arriving from Barnsley.

Some of those strikes, including the winner at Firhill on Saturday, have been set up by Stewart, who has also netted 11 goals himself from a deeper role this campaign. It is the second time in three seasons that the 26-year-old, another former Cowdenbeath player, has made the top four.

Griffiths is the favourite after scoring 38 goals this season for Celtic, while Hayes earned himself a Republic of Ireland debut in March after hitting five goals and being a key creative force in Aberdeen's title challenge.

Tierney has had a spectacular breakthrough season, being one of Celtic's most consistent performers and establishing himself as first-choice left-back ahead of Emilio Izaguirre before making his full Scotland debut last month.

McKay, 21, has been rejuvenated under Mark Warburton and has nine goals and a series of assists to his name.

Cummings has scored 24 goals for Hibs this season while midfielder McGinn earned himself his first Scotland cap along with Tierney against Denmark.

The winners will be announced at the PFA Scotland annual dinner at the Glasgow Hilton Hotel on Sunday night.