It may only be February, but the player of the year gong in Scotland should already have Callum McGregor’s name etched on it.
The Celtic midfielder has gone from strength to strength under Brendan Rodgers this season and put on another footballing clinic in Celtic’s win over Hibs.
If McGregor’s name doesn’t make the shortlist for the major season awards, then it would appear those in charge know nothing about football.
The most impressive part of McGregor’s game is how he can reinvent himself to adapt to another role in the team.
McGregor initially broke through as a right attacking midfielder, scoring on his debut under Ronny Deila.
Since then he’s played in behind the striker, in midfield and even at left back.
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Now, McGregor’s role has been deeper in midfielder, in the so called ‘quarterback’ position.
He’s made it his own and has pretty much dominated every game for Celtic since he was put in there.
You’d be hard pressed to find a Celtic win since October in which McGregor wasn’t the main architect in.
The midfielder’s presence on the ball is becoming even more obvious to the naked eye as the games progress.
Many felt when Scott Brown finally decides to hang up his boots, that Celtic would need another enforcer.
However McGregor has shown in Brown’s absence (and now alongside Brown) that he can be the man to take the mantle on.
He’s even made a very intriguing bid to be the next Celtic captain. His display against RB Leipzig in the Europa League had all the makings of a captain’s performance.
No need for votes
The voting for players’ player of the year normally takes place around about this time of year.
Each year footballers are asked to name their player of the year, albeit a tad prematurely.
However, this year the only thing they should vote on is who gets to hand McGregor the award.