Brown And Strachan Honored By PFA Scotland

Bhoys Stay One Point Clear With Win Over The Dons

Celtic midfielder Scott Brown beat out teammate Gary Caldwell and Rangers' midfielders Steven Davis and Pedro Mednes to win the PFA Scotland Player of the Year.

Celtic manager Gordon Strachan was also named PFA Scotland Manager of the Year for the second season running.

Accies' James McCarthy won the Young Player of the Year award and Pedro Mendes' 25-yard strike in Rangers 4-2 win at Parkhead was voted as the Goal of the Season.

Brown paid tribute to manager Strachan after suffering through a poor first season with Celtic and the death, from skin cancer of his sister Fiona less than 12 months ago: "The first season, I didn't have the best season, but the manager knew what was going on and he helped me through that - and he's been great with me since then."

He also thanked his fellow footballers for their votes, noting that it was an honor to join the likes of Henrik Larsson and Brian Laudrup as Player of the Year.

When asked by reporters how he could improve his game he responded: "A few more goals here and there.

"I think I've been playing well. You can always play better and you always want to play better, so I always strive to do better."

Gordon Strachan, who signed Brown from Hibs nearly two years ago in a transfer worth £4.4 million, commenting on whether Brown would remain at Parkhead next season said: "It's up himself, really. Through his career, he's worked with good people at Hibs; hopefully, he's worked with good people at Celtic.

"Where he goes, I don't know - it's up to him. But he can play at a really high level - that's for sure."

Strachan also commented on rumors that he may be considering a move himself, saying: "I like working - that's the best place. Trust me, when we get through the gates of Lennoxtown, that's when I'm at my best.

"It's always nice to be appreciated because sometimes it's a lonely job and you think the whole world is against you.

"I've got smashing players that I work with day-in, day-out and a fantastic backroom staff.

"They inspire me and I try and transmit that back to them."

Celtic stayed one point clear of Old Firm rivals Rangers on Saturday, despite conceding an early goal from Aberdeen at Pittodrie.

Scott McDonald scored two inb the second half after an own goal from Andy Considine equalized the scores with just seconds remaining before half-time.

Strachan was particularly happy with McDonald's performance, saying that his performance "was as good a striking performance as you'll ever see.

"The first half when we weren't playing well he held the ball up, he came short, made chances. In the second half he was a constant threat, and as the longer the game went on his fitness level was phenomenal."