BBC SPORT | Football | Scottish Premier (original) (raw)

Lee Naylor and Shunsuke Nakamura have enjoyed a great season

Celtic trio Artur Boruc, Lee Naylor and Shunsuke Nakamura are up for the Scottish Professional Footballers' Association's player of the year award.

Aberdeen captain Russell Anderson makes up the shortlist of nominees, with the winner to be named on 22 April.

Celtic winger Aiden McGeady is in contention for the young player of the year prize.

His rivals are Hibs star Scott Brown, Rangers midfielder Charlie Adam and Kilmarnock forward Steven Naismith.

It is the first time in the awards' 30-year history that one club has three out of the four nominations for the main prize at Glasgow's Thistle Hotel.

And Naylor and McGeady believe that Nakamura should get the most votes from their fellow professionals.

Footballers are unable to vote for their own team-mates and McGeady opted for Anderson for the main award but would have gone for a Celtic man if allowed.

	It's hard to choose, but I would probably go for Naka

"It's difficult to choose between them," admitted McGeady.

"Naka has been different class, while Naylor wasn't well known when he came here but has become one of the most consistent players in the league.

"Artur's performances in Europe have shone above everyone else.

"I would say Naka because some of the things he has done this season have been outrageous, but it's a tough decision."

Naylor, who , while Naylor plumped for Falkirk's Alan Gow, added: "Aiden has had a really good season and Naka comes up with something special in almost every game.

"It's hard to choose, but I would probably go for Naka."

Dons skipper Anderson was honoured to have been nominated but pointed out that playing in a consistent team was a great help.

"While it's nice to be nominated for such a prestigious award, it's as much a reflection of how the team has performed this season," he told the Aberdeen website.

"That said, when it's your peers who are undertaking the voting, it means that little bit more and naturally I am delighted."

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