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Seventeen? Strange number!


skygod

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The 17 most improved players in Scottish football this season

Which players have shown improvement from last season to the current campaign, catching the eye and winning hearts of supporters across Scotland?

In each of the last two years, this introduction spent time explaining that only a “tremendous” change in productivity would be good enough for a player to make the list. “Good to great” didn’t cut it. However, while there are certainly SPFL footballers who have gone from average to brilliant, in order to beef out the selection for 2017/18 we needed to include a few who were decent already and made that extra leap. Starting with...

Kristoffer Ajer (Celtic)

The Norwegian centre-back was impressive during his loan spell at Rugby Park this season. But it’s one thing being a stand-out performer on one of the poorest teams in the league and quite another to become the best central defender on the country’s top side. The future is very bright for the 19-year-old.

Ryan Bowman (Motherwell)

Martin Boyle (Hibs)

Eamonn Brophy (Kilmarnock)

From a bit-part player at Hamilton to one of the brightest prospects in Kilmarnock’s near future, it’s safe to say the decision to leave New Douglas Park for some fresh scenery was the right one for the young striker. His 0.55 goals per 90 minutes is seventh best among active players in the Ladbrokes Premiership this term.

James Forrest (Celtic)

Gary Harkins (Morton)

An ageing playmaker coming to the end of his days, Harkins had his moments in an Ayr United shirt last term, though they were too few and far between to save the Honest Men from relegation. It was therefore somewhat of a surprise to see him land on his feet at play-off side Morton. Surely this was an error in judgement from Jim Duffy? Absolutely not. Rather than a mercurial No.10, as he’s operated through a lot of his career, Harkins has found new life as a deeper lying midfield maestro, where he dictates the flow of games and still provides a burst of creativity.

Chris Kane (St Johnstone)

Alan Lithgow (Livingston)

Dylan McGeouch (Hibs)

Scott McKenna (Aberdeen)

Lewis Morgan (St Mirren)

Gavin Reilly (St Mirren)

Darren Smith (Stirling Albion)

James Tavernier (Rangers)

Alan Trouten (Albion Rovers)

Josh Windass (Rangers)

And the most improved player in 2017/18 is...

 

 

 

 

Kris Boyd (Kilmarnock)

This writer has only recently waxed lyrical about Boyd’s improvement, so we shan’t stressed the point too much. Safe to say, this has undoubtedly been his best campaign since 2013/14 and it’s partially owed to the transformative powers of his manager Steve Clarke. At age 34, he’s currently the top goalscorer in the Ladbrokes Premiership with 15 strikes. This time a year ago - actually, this time six months ago - he seemed close to being finished as a top flight player. It’s that surprise factor which makes him stand out from the pack. It’s an incredible turnaround.

(Craig Fowler, Scotsman)

 

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Gary Harkins what could have been......waste of a career!

Kilmarnock could have had a host of players in there including McKenzie but Boyd definitely deserves it. I will be honest and say I was shouting for him to be punted at start of season and especially after our start - well done Boydie!

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