SPFL Team of the Week

Craig Fowler from @terracepodcast selects his SPFL team of the week in a 4-3-1-2 formation...

Goalkeeper – Danny Rogers (Dumbarton)
The old adage is that a good goalkeeper is worth 15 points per season. If this is to be believed then Dumbarton fans can thank Danny Rogers for keeping them safely above the relegation battle throughout this campaign. The on-loan Aberdeen shot-stopper produced another man-of-the-match display in Saturday's 1-0 win over play-off chasing Falkirk, making a number of crucial stops and ensuring his side are on the brink of being mathematically safe with six games still to play.

Right-back – Darren McGregor (Rangers)
In a topsy-turvy season, it's not a stretch to suggest the former Cowdenbeath and St Mirren defender has been Rangers’ most consistent performer. On Saturday, he had another strong defensive showing against Cowdenbeath, not to mention his 25-yard rocket which restored the lead in the 82nd minute. That stunner came not long after Kudus Oyenuga had shocked Ibrox with an equaliser for Cowden. Without McGregor's contribution, Rangers may have thrown away their chance to build some momentum after last week's victory at Easter Road.

Centre-back – Craig Barr (Raith Rovers)
Rovers fans have been told all season their defensive problems would improve once summer signing Craig Barr returned from injury. In retrospect, that promise now appears to be an understatement. Raith have won four out of six since Barr came into the side. The former Livingston centre-back is developing a strong partnership with Paul Watson and this solid base helped them to a surprise 2-1 victory over Hibernian on Saturday. Barr was excellent in a man-of-the-match performance, clearing everything in the air and halting Hibs’ attacks time and again.

Centre-back – Stuart Findlay (Dumbarton)
The on-loan Celtic youngster continues to wow Dumbarton fans with a sense of composure not usually associated with someone so young. If his displays this campaign are anything to go by, he should have a long and bright future in the game once he returns to Glasgow's East End. He combines his level-headed nature with the necessary dirty work needed in defence and he, along with his goalkeeper, was another big reason the Sons were able to claim a clean sheet and three points against Falkirk.

Left-back – Lee Wallace (Rangers)
After a false start under Stuart McCall, the new manager now seems to have got his message across and the Ibrox first team is reinvigorated as a result. This is particularly true of Lee Wallace – appearing in this select XI for the second week in succession. His trademark rampaging runs up the left wing now come with greater frequency and he produced another tireless display to haunt Cowdenbeath on Saturday. Always an extra option on the left, Wallace had a hand in securing Rangers’ first goal with a fierce shot that was parried into the path of Nicky Clark, before he combined well with Haris Vuckic to help the Slovenian score the third.

Central midfield right – Luke Donnelly (East Stirlingshire)
Expected to struggle at the wrong end of the table this season, East Stirlingshire have been excellent since the turn of the year and are now strong contenders to make the play-offs. They sit only three points behind fourth-place East Fife following Saturday's 1-0 win over Arbroath and would be a dangerous proposition for any team in the knock-out stages if they can keep this form going. For the game with Arbroath, manager Craig Tully switched his side into a 3-5-2, enabling them to control the midfield and providing young Luke Donnelly, on loan from Celtic, with the platform in which to influence his team's attack, as well as getting in the faces of their beleaguered opponents.

Central midfield - Miguel Pallardo (Hearts)
There are games where the Spaniard just plain refuses to give away the football, and Saturday's 2-0 win against Queen of the South was another one of those. Pallardo arrived at Tynecastle with a strong pedigree, having previously mixed it up with the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid, and he has not disappointed. While tenacious without the ball, it's his cultured style and unwavering composure in possession that makes him a perfect fit for Robbie Neilson's system.

Central midfield left – Stefan McCluskey (Morton)
Morton produced the result of the weekend in League 1 and it was McCluskey who set them on their way. Receiving Ross Forbes’ short pass on the left-hand side of the penalty area, the midfielder curled an audacious effort into the far corner with his right foot. The Ton would go on to crush the Pars 4-0 at East End Park, with McCluskey playing a tireless role on the left-hand side. Without the ball he would drop into a midfield four and help support his full-back, but when the visitors got possession he would burst forward to support the two strikers. Dunfermline couldn't deal with him, or many of his team-mates for that matter.

Attacking midfield – Jamie Reid (Elgin)
Given the level of his performance at the weekend, it's surprising the on-loan Dundee midfielder hasn't started more games for in-form Elgin. Jim Weir's side were excellent throughout the team against league leaders Albion Rovers, but there's no doubt the shock 3-0 away win would not have been as comfortable were it not for Reid's match-winning performance. His free-kick allowed Daryll McHardy to score the opening goal inside five minutes, and he followed that up with a double of his own to secure three points for the Highlanders, who haven't given up on a play-off berth.

Forward – Osman Sow (Hearts)
It wasn't vintage Hearts at the weekend but the champions still demonstrated their undoubted superiority by defeating the league's fourth-best side without getting out of second gear. One player who did have a storming game, however, was the big striker – who, like Lee Wallace, makes this team for the second successive weekend. Sow netted within the first 10 minutes then tormented Queens for the rest of the first half with his strength, speed and movement. A delicious through pass for Billy King was a highlight almost equal to his early goal.

Forward – Liam Buchanan (Alloa Athletic)
The final selection in this side was a toss-up between Buchanan and his new strike-partner at Alloa, Michael Chopra. Buchanan got the nod because of his two goals, but there's no denying the former English Premier League star still has quality in him as the two strikers combined well throughout the game. If the duo can continue to replicate this kind of understanding then the Wasps may be able to brush off the disappointment of letting three points slip from their grasp - it ended 2-2 against Livingston - and go on to secure safety in the second tier for another season.