David Watson became the first Kilmarnock player in almost two decades to win the coveted PFA Scotland Young Player of the Year at last weekend’s prestigious awards ceremony.
Beating off competition from Rangers’ Ross McCausland, Motherwell’s Lennon Miller and Dundee’s Lyall Cameron, the 19-year-old was given the award after a series of magnificent performances at Rugby Park which have helped him team finish comfortably in the Scottish Premiership top six.
With Killie boss Derek McInnes already admitting that he is expecting bids for the teenager this summer, interest in Watson’s services are sure to be high as he attempts to develop into Scotland’s next big star like many of his predecessors.
But how far can Watson go? Is winning the PFA Scotland Young Player of the Season a guaranteed route to success? We look at the last 15 winners of the award to see what became of their careers.
5. 2016, 2017, 2018: Kieran Tierney - Celtic
The first player to win the award three years in a row, the Scotland international always felt destined to go right to the very top. He made a record £25million move to English Premier League giants Arsenal in the summer of 2019 and became an instant fan favourite, helping the Gunners win the FA Cup in his first season. A combination of injuries has stunted further progress at the Emirates though and he has moved on loan to La Liga side Real Sociedad this season. Highly likely to go to Euro 2024 with Scotland, his future in London in currently up in the air. | Getty Images Photo: Getty Images
6. Jason Denayer - Belgium
Ex-Celtic defender Jason Denayer formed a memorable partnership with Virgil van Djik in the 2014-2015 season as the Hoops won a league and cup double. His stay in Glasgow would last just one season, with parent club Manchester City loaning him to Galatasaray the following campaign. He would enjoy a positive year in Turkey, winning the Turkish Cup before he returned to Britain to pen a season-long loan deal with David Moyes' Sunderland. However, a disastrous year on Wearside resulted in relegation and Denayer re-joined Galatasaray. He helped them win the Süper Lig before leaving City on a permanent deal to join French outfit Lyon, where he remained for four seasons. He currently plays in the Saudi Pro League with Al Fateh, who he joined from UAE outfit Shabab Al Ahli last summer. | SNS Group Photo: SNS Group Rob Casey
7. 2014: Andrew Robertson - Dundee United
The left-back moved to the English Premier League with Hull City just weeks after winning the award but was sadly relegated in his debut season. Robertson was able to guide the Tigers back to the promised land at the first attempt though and later moved to Liverpool, where he became one of Jurgen Klopp's most important players. He has won absolutely everything there is to be won with the Reds. Since joining in 2017, he has lifted the English Premier League, UEFA Champions League, FA Cup, League Cup, Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup. He also helped captain Scotland to their first major tournament in 2020 and was awarded an MBE in 2022. | Getty Images Photo: Getty Images
8. 2013: Leigh Griffiths - Hibs
The former Scotland striker netted 23 league goals during his 2012/2013 loan spell and was the runaway winner of the award. However, with parent club Wolves relegated that year, Griffiths went back to Molineux and continued his goal-scoring form by netting 12 goals before Celtic purchased him in the January of that season. During an eight-season stint with the Hoops, the forward won seven Scottish Premiership titles, four Scottish League Cups, three Scottish Cups and was named the PFA Scotland Players' Player of the Year in 2016. His time at Celtic came to an abrupt end in 2021 when new boss Ange Postecoglou allowed him to go on loan to Dundee. Scoring just twice, he fell into the Scottish third tier when he joined Falkirk on loan, where he again scored just twice. Now 33, he is player/coach for Mandurah City in the Australian Football West State League Division 1. | SNS Group Photo: SNS Group Sammy Turner