Celtic’s Adam Matthews says PFA snub not important

Celtic full-back Adam Matthews insisted they did not need individual recognition after failing to win any of the PFA Scotland awards.
Adam Matthews is not bothered by the lack of individual success at the PFA awards. Picture: SNSAdam Matthews is not bothered by the lack of individual success at the PFA awards. Picture: SNS
Adam Matthews is not bothered by the lack of individual success at the PFA awards. Picture: SNS

Celtic manager Neil Lennon reacted angrily when none of his players were named on the four-man shortlist for the player of the year award, which was won by Motherwell striker Michael Higdon on Sunday night.

Lennon lost out to Queen of the South manager Allan Johnston in his category after being nominated along with Motherwell manager Stuart McCall and Terry Butcher of Inverness, while Hibernian striker Leigh Griffiths beat Celtic midfielder Victor Wanyama to the young player award.

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Matthews was named in the SPL team of the year along with Wanyama, Charlie Mulgrew and Kelvin Wilson but he brushed off the failure to claim any of the main prizes.

Brilliant Season

The Wales international said: “It’s out of our hands who wins what. We know ourselves we have had a brilliant season and the whole team have been amazing.

“It’s nice to get four players in the team of the year but we are not too worried about individual awards. It’s a team game.”

Matthews, who hopes to return from a two-month lay-off with a hamstring injury when Celtic face St Johnstone on Saturday on the day they are presented with the SPL trophy, did not take Lennon’s failure to win to heart.

“It’s nice to win the award but he got down to the final four and it’s out of our hands if he wins it or not,” the former Cardiff player said.

“I think he has been great this season but so have the other managers.”

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