With the Premiership season now at an end – thankfully so for Dons fans – it is time to reflect on what has been another remarkable campaign, and select my all-star XI, the players who have illuminated the top-flight in 2021-22.
Sadly, not a single Aberdeen player makes my team, and that is the first time that has happened; a reflection of just how bad it has been.
The goalkeeper position was hotly contested with Joe Hart and Allan McGregor high among the candidates, but I have to go for CRAIG GORDON. The Hearts and Scotland keeper continues to pull off saves that are beyond belief and deserves all the accolades which have come his way.
There could only be one candidate for right back; the Rangers captain JAMES TAVERNIER. His leadership qualities have shown through this campaign and his contribution has been immense. I know he takes penalties, and gets plenty opportunity to do so, but his goal return has been staggering.
On the other side of the defence, I have gone for STEPHEN KINGSLEY. He has played both at left-back and on the left of a three, and has always impressed. In his first season operating in the Premiership, Kingsley has looked a class act, and can also weigh in with a few goals and assists.
My middle pairing is CAMERON CARTER-VICKERS and CALVIN BASSEY. Both are excellent defenders, have strength and pace, and have been key men for their respective teams. Celtic will be desperate to land Carter-Vickers on a permanent basis while Bassey has emerged as an outstanding talent.
I am going for one man to anchor the midfield, and it could only be CALLUM McGREGOR. Regular readers will be well aware of my admiration for the Celtic captain. He has emerged from the shadow of Scott Brown to become an equally important figurehead and has again been consistently superb as his team regained the title.
Almost all of Ange Postecoglou’s signings have worked, but there is an argument that JOTA has perhaps been the most effective of all. He has provided 13 goals and countless opportunities for his team-mates, and when on top form – as he has been for much of the season – is a joy to watch.
TOM ROGIC is one who benefited hugely from the arrival of Postecoglou, and the new boss got his countryman back firing on all cylinders. His touch and awareness are second to none in the Premiership, and it was fitting he marked his departure from Celtic Park with probably his best campaign.
Liel Abada might have made it a trio of Celtic attacking midfielders, but he shaded a bit, so instead I have opted for BARRIE McKAY. Having arrived on a short-term deal, McKay quickly illuminated Tynecastle and was deservedly rewarded with a longer contract. When in full flow, he is such an exciting player to watch.
The first half of the season belonged to KYOGO FURUHASHI, and when he returned from injury, the Japanese quickly gave us a reminder of his extraordinary talents. He will be key to Celtic’s continued success.
In a campaign short of outstanding goal-scoring across the league, GIORGOS GIAKOUMAKIS was the most impressive in the second half of 21/22. He played his part in helping the champions over the line and ended joint-top Premiership scorer with Regan Charles-Cook.
There were plenty candidates for the manager of the year award, but given the remarkable transformation he implemented, I would have to go for ANGE POSTECOGLOU ahead of his rivals. His impact has been phenomenal.
Heartbreak for Rangers in Seville
For the first time in 14 years, a Scottish side graced a European final on Wednesday night, and what an occasion it proved to be!
Rangers’ thrilling run to Seville came to a heart-breaking conclusion in the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium, the defeat in the penalty shoot-out all the more agonising given Ryan Kent’s failure to convert a glorious chance seconds from the end of extra-time.
It was an incredible campaign all told, one that no-one could have predicted, and given the quality sides they had already eliminated, I had fancied Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side to finish the job.
I spent most of the week in Andalucía, and it was wonderful to see Scottish football back in the big time
On the night, Eintracht were clearly the better side and deserved the victory; the big task for Rangers now will be recovering in time to take on Hearts at Hampden this afternoon.
👕 UEFA's Technical Observer panel has selected its 2021/22 UEFA Europa League Team of the Season 🙌#UELfinal pic.twitter.com/Ve8fUWUXbn
— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) May 20, 2022
Conversation