SPFL Awards: Aberdeen | Raith Rovers | Airdrie

LEAGUE 1 and the Scottish League Cup have been won in the past week and congratulations to Rangers and Aberdeen respectively.

A victorious Derek McInnes picks up our Manager of the week award. Picture: PA

It would be fair to say that the Ibrox side’s success was not too unexpected however Aberdeen winning a trophy was a nice thought for Pittodrie people almost a year ago when Derek McInnes came in.

Accordingly, Aberdeen feature prominently in the Awards this week but there are also positive mentions for Celtic, Partick Thistle, Airdrie, Forfar, Annan and Queen’s Park.

Unfortunately for Inverness Caledonian Thistle’s front man Billy McKay, his penalty miss at the start of yesterday’s shoot-out seems him pick up an award as well.

Good week for – Aberdeen

Nearly 19 years of nothing apart from under-achievement was wiped out at Parkhead yesterday with the collection of the Scottish League Cup. Queen’s Park, Queen of the South, Dunfermline and East Fife have all embarrassed the Dons since they last won silverware in November 1995 however the Dons can now re-arrange their Trophy Cabinet for a new addition.

Over 40,000 fans at Parkhead showed a lot of potential at the club with a Scottish Cup semi-final to come.

Bad week for – Billy McKay (Inverness Caledonian Thistle)

When you have a penalty shoot-out in any game you are looking to get off to a great start. Inverness sent their top goalscorer Billy McKay up to do that at Parkhead however his low effort to his left was pushed away by Jamie Langfield.

That swung things Aberdeen’s way and they never looked back.

Teams of the week – Aberdeen

First trophy since 1995 earns this one for the Dons even though they were not at their swash-buckling best. The pace of Peter Pawlett and Jonny Hayes was missing from their ranks yesterday however they dug in and secured a win at Parkhead.

If someone had said 12 months ago that Aberdeen would handle set-backs and goalkeeper Jamie Langfield would be a hero they may not have been believed.

Manager of the week – Derek McInnes (Aberdeen)

McInnes was not first choice when he entered Pittodrie last year to replace Craig Brown after a disappointing spell in English football with Bristol City. In the past few days he has secured a two year extension to his contract and became a Scottish League Cup winning manager.

The Dons had a reputation as ‘bottlers’ and not only has McInnes changed that he has made a city proud of their team again

Manager of the Year anyone?

Scottish League Cup / Premiership Player of the week – Kris Commons (Celtic)

The midfielder showed again what a good striker he is in Friday’s 3-0 win over Kilmarnock at Rugby Park. With the score line blank at half time the second half belonged to Commons as he scored all three goals as the Champions elect ran out 3-0 winners.

Player of the Year anyone?

Scottish Cup/ Premiership Goal of the week – Chris Erskine (Partick Thistle)

Thistle’s first goal against Hibs in their 3-1 success over Hibs was one of well worked variety. Lyle Taylor scampered down the right and he picked out Kris Doolan with a cut back.

The striker outfoxed the Edinburgh side by dummying the ball for team-mate Chris Erskine to take a touch and shoot home to put Thistle on their way to a second home win in a row.

Championship Player of the week – Greig Spence (Raith Rovers)

Substitute Greig Spence only played the last 37 minutes of his side’s game against Morton on Saturday however the impact he made has seen the former Alloa, Celtic and Hamilton Accies front man take this week’s award.

Spence came on with his side a goal down and he levelled matters from the penalty spot before shooting the winner to give Raith their first win in 11 games. The win eased fears of the Kirkcaldy men getting dragged into a relegation fight.

Championship Goal of the week – Mitch Megginson (Dumbarton)

Mitch Megginson set the tone for the Sons 5-1 win over Cowdenbeath when he grabbed the opening goal midway through the first half.

Megginson produced a sublime finish from the edge of the box with a precise curling shot and open the floodgates for the win that keeps Dumbarton in the hunt for a promotion play-off place.

League 1 Player of the week – Grant Adam (Airdrie)

The Diamonds number one put up the shutters as Airdrie secured a 1-0 win over Arbroath that kept the Gayfield side at the foot of the table and boosted their own hopes for survival.

Adam stood strong in the face of the usual windy conditions at the home of the Red Lichties with one stop from Bobby Linn of the top class variety.

League 1 Goal of the week – Dale Hilson (Forfar)

The Loons are stepping up their interest in the promotion play-off race with a third win in four games. The latest success was a 1-0 win over Stranraer and was secured by Dale Hilson’s fine first half strike.

Hilson danced past two visiting Blues defender before sending a low right foot shot past David Mitchell to move Dick Campbell’s side to the fringes of the play-off race.

League 2 Player of the week – Steven Swinglehurst (Annan Athletic)

Annan’s big centre back was a stalwart at both ends of the pitch during their 3-2 win at Elgin. Swinglehurst arrived at the back post to head the Galabank men into a two goal lead midway through the first half.

In the second, and with Annan facing a stiff breeze, Swinglehurst helped his side to three precious promotion points despite a rally from the hosts.

League 2 Goal of the week – Blair Spittal (Queen’s Park)

Queen’s Park have had little to cheer in a miserable season however not only did they beat Albion Rovers 4-0 at the weekend they scored a mighty fine goal in doing so. The Coatbridge side were looking to haul themselves back into things at two goals down when the Spiders hit them with a lightning break.

Sean Burns picked out the run of Spittal, and the youngster who has brought many a scout to watch him this season, took a touch before slamming home to complete a fast paced move.