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.
9. 2012: James Forrest - Celtic
Twelve years after landing the award, Forrest is still winning trophies and playing a pivotal role for Celtic. One of the unsung heroes of the Hoops' decade of success, the 32-year-old has won 11 Scottish Premiership titles, six Scottish Cups and six Scottish League Cups. Capped 38 times at international level, he also formed part of Steve Clarke's Scotland squad at Euro 2020, appearing as a substitute in the side's opening game against Czech Republic. | Getty Images Photo: Getty Images
10. 2011: David Goodwillie - Dundee United
Goodwillie was one of Scotland's brightest footballing prospects at the time. However, just months before a big-money move to English Premier League side Blackburn Rovers, the striker and his team-mate David Robertson were accused of raping a woman. The Crown Office did not pursue a criminal prosecution due to insufficient evidence in law. Latterly, the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority determined that the woman had been raped. In his debut season at Rovers, Goodwillie was relegated was loaned out to a combination of clubs before signing for Aberdeen in 2014 where he played until 2016. Goodwillie signed for English League Two club Plymouth Argyle in June 2016 but departed the club in January 2017 by mutual consent following a civil case that concluded that he had raped the woman. A club statement stated he had requested to leave as he was considering an appeal. In November 2017, three appeal judges at the Court of Session upheld the ruling. During this time he spent six seasons playing for Clyde before moving to Raith Rovers in 2021. On announcement of his signing, club volunteers and shirt sponsor Val McDermid withdrew her support of the club. He did not play for Raith Rovers following the controversy and re-joined former club Clyde on loan before this move was also cancelled when the club's women's team resigned en masse. Goodwillie was later released by Raith. He was last season playing for Glasgow United. | Getty Images Photo: Getty Images
11. 2010: Danny Wilson - Rangers
A hugely exciting academy product during his first spell at Ibrox, Wilson was tipped for a top future after winning the award in his first year. The following summer, he was bought by Liverpool in a deal worth thought to be £2million though he found first-team opportunities extremely limited and was sent on loan to Bristol City, Blackpool and latterly Hearts. After impressing at Tynecastle, he moved to the club on a Bosman free transfer and was part of the team that helped guide them to the Scottish Championship title in 2015. At the end of his championship-winning season, he moved back to Rangers on a free transfer where he lifted the Scottish Championship title once more. He left Ibrox again to move to MLS outfit Colorado Rapids, where he spent six seasons before signing for Scottish Championship club Queen's Park on an 18-month contract earlier this year. | Getty Images Photo: Getty Images
12. 2009: James McCarthy - Hamilton
The only Hamilton player to have won the award, McCarthy was soon snapped up by English Premier League outfit Everton, who paid Accies £1.2million. The midfielder was a hit at Goodison Park, playing regular first team football for four seasons before finding his game time limited due to a succession of injuries. He moved to Crystal Palace on a free transfer after six years at the Toffees but was once again plagued by injury problems. Joined boyhood club Celtic on a free transfer in 2021 but has featured in just 12 leagues game in the last three seasons. | SNS Group Photo: SNS Group Rob Casey