Craig Fowler selects his latest SPFL Team of the Week, with Aberdeen’s James Maddison the star man for his performance against Kilmarnock.
GK - Jack Hamilton (Heart of Midlothian)
Hearts took three points from their Friday night trip to Motherwell but it’s unlikely they would have ultimately strolled to the 3-1 victory were it not for a stunning save from their young keeper. With the game poised at 0-0, Craig Clay’s effort from inside the area took a deflection but still couldn’t beat Hamilton, who showed great reactions to flash out a right hand and strong wrist to push it for a corner.
DR - Michael Doyle (Morton)
A commanding performance from the former Alloa defender both at right-back and centre-half, after he was forced to shuffle over following the first-half injury to Gavin Gunning. Doyle looked accomplished in the centre, repelling Raith’s attacks with ease as Morton registered a 1-0 win.
DC - Jack Baird (St Mirren)
The young defender wasn’t meant to start against Falkirk and was propelled into the team only after an injury to veteran Andy Webster in the warm-up. Baird, however, seized his chance with both hands, playing a blinder in their 1-1 draw with Falkirk – a result that was badly needed for the managerless side.
DC - Lee Ashcroft (Dunfermline Athletic)
The Pars went from one extreme to another. After shipping three goals in the 4-3 victory over St Mirren last weekend, Allan Johnston’s side played out a drab 0-0 draw away at Ayr. In a game where both defences were on top, Ashcroft stood out above the rest.
DL - Faycal Rherras (Heart of Midlothian)
A player always capable of providing a spark on the overlap, he showed against Motherwell that he can also be a solid defender when asked to do so. Hearts curtailed the play of their full-backs in a deliberate move, as they feared the threat from Motherwell’s attack, but Rherras was still able to contribute at both ends.
MR - Niko Kranjcar (Rangers)
The Rangers midfielder put in arguably his best performance to date, looking composed and demonstrating his excellent passing abilities in the 2-0 win over Partick Thistle. The Croatia internationalist broke the deadlock for the Ibrox side, starting and finishing a terrific move by shooting into the roof of the Thistle net.
MC - Scott Brown (Celtic)
The Celtic captain followed up a starring performance in the 3-3 draw with Manchester City by putting in another excellent shift in the 1-0 win at Dundee. Brown covered just about every blade of grass and even managed to get on the scoresheet as he popped up to sweep home a loose ball.
MC - James Maddison (Aberdeen)
Aberdeen have been improved immensely by the arrival of the midfielder from Norwich City. There is much more pace and dynamism to the team’s play and Maddison is the catalyst for that. He put in another eye-catching display against Kilmarnock as the Dons ran out 4-0 winners, including winning the penalty for the first goal and swinging in a couple of deadly corner kicks. This week’s star man.
ML - Danny Swanson (St Johnstone)
Another impressive victory for Tommy Wright’s side. St Johnstone thoroughly deserved the three points from their trip to Ross County, as they commanded the midfield area throughout. Possession is great, but you need someone capable of cutting through and they have that someone in Swanson. He tucked away a penalty for the first goal, then played the killer pass for Chris Kane to net the second.
FC - Danny Mullen (Livingston)
Two goals for the striker, who is on fire this season. His first goal in the 2-1 win at Peterhead, which took Livi up into second in Ladbrokes League 1, was a terrific strike. He would then go on to net the winner after strike partner Liam Buchanan missed his chance.
FC - Ouzy See (Edinburgh City)
The third Edinburgh side are still waiting for their first win in SPFL football, though they would appear to be getting closer after an impressive showing in the 3-3 draw with Arbroath. Strike pair Craig Beattie and Ouzy See were a handful throughout, with the latter grabbing two second-half goals.
