Dundee United young guns Gary Mackay-Steven and Johnny Russell should have a shot at glory when the awards are dished out, according to manager Peter Houston.
David Goodwillie brought praise and prestige to himself and the Tannadice club last season when he was named the SPFA young player of the year by his fellow professionals in the players’ union.
Now it could be the turn of Mackay-Steven and Russell to try to emulate the achievement of the now-Blackburn striker with the time now approaching for nominations.
Both have sparkled in the SPL this season for United and got a goal apiece in the Tangerines’ 2-0 victory over Hibs at Easter Road on Saturday.
They also teamed up at international level, starring for the Scotland under-21s in their match against the Netherlands at St Mirren Park last month.
Their names are bound to crop up along with the likes of Celtic pair James Forrest and Victor Wanyama as possible winners of the accolade, and Houston wouldn’t be surprised were that to be the case.
”We had David Goodwillie winning the young player of the year award last season and that was great for the club,” said Houston. ”I would be surprised if the likes of Gary Mackay-Steven and Johnny Russell weren’t up for awards this time.
”I am like any manager in that I am always going to think my players are worthy candidates. I am no different to others in that respect. But our guys haven’t done themselves any harm when it comes to putting themselves in the running for awards.
”Russell’s turn of form since the Inverness game (on March 5) has been brilliant and, as for young Gary, he was sensational in the second half at Hibs.”
Houston’s team occupy fourth spot in the table with seven matches of the campaign left. They sit eight points behind third-placed Motherwell, who face Rangers at Fir Park on Saturday, while United will take on bottom club Dunfermline at Tannadice the same afternoon.
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However, the United boss isn’t prepared to even contemplate the prospect of reeling in the Steelmen.
He said: ”A lot of people are asking the question: ‘Can we catch Motherwell?’ However, I am just thinking that to be four points ahead of (sixth-placed) Hearts is pretty good at this stage.
”There are seven games to go and we have Dunfermline coming to Tannadice on Saturday. That in itself beings its own problems because United will be expected to win and do so comfortably by a lot of people.
”The only people who won’t be thinking like that is the likes of ourselves as we know we have to work every bit as hard as we have been against the likes of Rangers recently. We will take things as they come and see where we are come the end of it all.”
At least Houston can be assured that the players will take on board his message when they go out to face the Pars, having followed his instructions to the letter against Hibs.
”I don’t care if Hibs are second bottom of the SPL, it is still a great result to beat them at Easter Road,” he added. ”We knew it was never going to be easy.
”The boys didn’t play as well in the first half but we spoke about it at half-time and because they are the good group of professionals that they are they acted upon it.
”To be fair, they always listen and when you have an attitude like that you always have a chance.”
Defender Keith Watson is nursing a sore shoulder but should be fine for the visit of Dunfermline while captain Jon Daly’s head cut isn’t a cause for concern.
Houston said: ”Keith Watson found it difficult to drive his car on Sunday because of his shoulder and he won’t be with us for the first part of the week.
”We have Robbie Neilson back in the fold (after suspension) if Keith doesn’t make it, but we will give him every chance. Jon has a big scar on his head but that won’t bother him. He is well used to that sort of stuff.”