SFWA crown Claudio Braga as POTY

Hearts striker Claudio Braga is the Scottish Football Writers’ Association Player of the Year for 2025/26.

Braga has seen off competition from Tynecastle team-mate Lawrence Shankland and Motherwell duo Tawanda Maswanhise and Elijah Just to lift the coveted prize.

It has been a remarkable first campaign in our game for Braga and he will now look to inspire Hearts - guided by William Hill SFWA Manager of the Year Derek McInnes - to the Premiership title on Saturday.

Braga will be presented with his award at our annual dinner on Sunday, May 17 at the DoubleTree by Hilton, Glasgow as the Committee, members and guests celebrate the outstanding achievements of the top performers across the Scottish game.

Speaking about the recognition from Association members, Braga said: “It’s weird, I’m not going to lie.

“Like I already said, it’s something I would never have expected when I came here. Now, seeing all this stuff coming at the same time, it’s kind of difficult for it to sink in.

“In a good way, of course. I’m not complaining about winning at all, but it’s just weird for me because I didn’t expect it from the beginning.

“But yeah, it’s an amazing feeling — only made better if you go on and collect the big one. To be honest, I think that’s why I’m still not as happy as I should be with these prizes, because we didn’t finish the job in the end.

“In a way, I feel like I don’t want to lose any focus, and maybe this can do that. Hopefully not.

“So if I don’t look as happy as I should, it’s just because I need to let it sink in properly and stay focused for the next game. That’s really what matters.”