SPFL Team of the Week

Craig Fowler selects his latest SPFL Team of the Week, with front two Leigh Griffiths and Peter Weatherson both scoring weekend hat-tricks:

Goalkeeper – Derek Gaston (Morton)
Morton will go into their final game of the league season, at home to Peterhead, knowing a win will more than likely give them the League 1 crown. Jim Duffy's side hold a three-goal advantage over joint-leaders Forfar and also hold the goals-scored advantage over their rivals. Meanwhile, Morton's opponents from Saturday's 2-0 win, Stranraer, are left requiring a miracle if they are to steal top spot. A large reason for The Blues’ predicament was the form of Ton keeper Derek Gaston. The 28-year old was excellent in the first 30 minutes of this encounter, single-handedly keeping Morton in the game after the hosts flew out of the traps and created numerous chances.

Right-back – Martin Boyle (Hibernian)
With no obvious right-back to choose from, Boyle is being shoehorned into this defence for his ability to play wing-back in Hibernian's 3-5-2 system. Many observers commented how Hibs missed their speedster in the semi-final against Falkirk and he's since confirmed such a theory with strong performances in back-to-back wins against Livingston and Alloa. On Saturday Boyle got Hibs' scoring under way with a classy finish, and the visitors never got to grips with his pace and direct running.

Centre-back – Sean Kelly (St Mirren)
The youngster, like every other player in the St Mirren dressing room, has endured a year to forget. In fairness to the 22-year-old, he's rarely played at centre-back, a position some believe to be his strongest. If Kelly agrees with such an observation then he certainly did his chances of holding on to the role no harm with a tremendous performance against Kilmarnock. Kelly cleaned up everything that came his way and even got on the scoresheet with an arrowed drive into the far corner which sent St Mirren on their way to a surprise 4-1 victory.

Centre-back – Frederic Frans (Partick Thistle)
Did you really think Frans was going to miss out on this team after his arrowed 35-yard stunner? Not a chance! Channelling his inner Alim Ozturk, Frans strode forward before unleashing an unstoppable effort which cannoned off the far post and landed in the back of the net. It brought the away side level and, from then on, they always looked more likely to go on and win the game. Craig Curran and Liam Boyce have been in excellent form for Ross County recently, but never got a sniff against Frans and centre-back partner Conrad Balatoni, and Thistle were able to take the three points back to Glasgow.

Left-back – Luke Leahy (Falkirk)
The Englishman arrived at Falkirk back in 2012 and was little more than a bit-part squad player until this campaign. Then Stephen Kingsley was sold to Swansea and Peter Houston inserted the midfielder at left-back. He's been a revelation in the position ever since. On Saturday he demonstrated his boundless energy and enthusiasm to contribute to Falkirk's 2-0 lead against Rangers. The Bairns will kick themselves for letting victory slip away at the very end, but Leahy can be truly proud of a performance where he worked tirelessly up and down the left-hand side.

Right midfield – Danny Swanson (St Johnstone)
Lacking in match sharpness since his return to Scottish football, Swanson hasn't managed to hold down a regular starting spot in Tommy Wright's team. Therefore, it would have been heartening for the St Johnstone manager to see the wide player take his chance when preferred to Michael O'Halloran in the 2-0 win at Dundee. Swanson scored the first, had a hand in the second, and displayed his excellent technique and skill throughout the match. We all know from his time at Dundee United that Swanson has the ability, and if the Perth club can secure him on a longer deal they will likely have a real asset on their hands.

Centre midfield – Stephen Mallan (St Mirren)
The 19-year-old grew in stature as Saturday's win over Kilmarnock went on and his rejuvenated performance mirrored that of St Mirren as a whole. He continually tried his luck from distance - almost putting the cherry on a fine performance with an audacious injury-time free-kick which rattled the crossbar - and frustrated his Kilmarnock counterparts with timely tackles and interceptions. His play aided the hosts in controlling the midfield and, ultimately, winning the match.

Centre midfield – Scott Pittman (Livingston)
It was only one month ago when Livingston went into the latter stages of their match with Alloa Athletic a goal down and their place in the SPFL Championship hanging by a thread. Then Rory Boulding netted a late equaliser and the Lions haven't looked back since. Saturday's 4-0 drubbing of Raith Rovers propelled them off the bottom of the table, a proposition which seemed borderline impossible just a few weeks ago. One of the reasons for the turnaround has been the play of Scott Pittman. Plucked from obscurity with Bo'ness United, very few Livi fans could have envisaged that someone from such humble surroundings would help save their season. Against Rovers, he followed up several stellar performances with another terrific display in centre midfield. At the apex of Livingston's central three, he continuously recycled possession and set the tempo for what could be one of the most important victories in the club's short history.

Left midfield - Darryl McHardy (Elgin City)
At numerous points throughout any Scottish football season the lower leagues throw up a contest which is just wonderfully bonkers from the first minute to the last. This weekend it was Elgin City 4-5 Annan Athletic, with two players each claiming a hat-trick. From the hosts that distinction belonged to Darryl McHardy. The winger showed the necessary poacher's instinct to score his first two from close range. His first was a bullet header from inside the six-yard area before he took advantage of some comical defending to prod the ball over the line for his second. Then, in the game's closing stages, he netted a fine shot on the turn from the edge of the area, though it wasn't enough to earn the hosts a point.

Striker – Peter Weatherson (Annan Athletic)
The veteran striker was the other player in the Elgin-Annan nine-goal thriller to bag himself a hat-trick, including a goal of the season contender to complete his treble. Three yards inside the away half, Weatherson let fly with an audacious effort which sailed through the air and over the back-tracking Ross Laidlaw before landing in the net. Think David Beckham and Charlie Adam but better because it took place at Borough Briggs. McHardy's late strike also meant Weatherson's halfway-line stunner proved to be the winning goal. He had netted twice from close range earlier in the match and, in all seriousness, could have scored at least five goals after missing one gilt-edged chance and seeing another thunderous strike come back off the post. For apparently discovering a time machine, Weatherson is this week's star man.

Striker – Leigh Griffiths (Celtic)
Celtic were far from at their best against Dundee United in the televised game on Sunday afternoon, but the same cannot be said for their dynamic striker who netted a second half hat-trick to lead the team to victory. Marginalised by Ronny Deila in the opening stages of the campaign, Griffiths has won over his manager and now sits atop the club's goalscorer charts for the 2014/15 season. His first goal was the pick of the three, as he drilled a low shot on the angle past Radoslaw Cierzniak with his weaker right foot. Complementing his undoubted ability in front of goal is a tireless work rate. Griffiths does a power of running for his team and never gives up on lost causes. He will earn strong consideration for a place in Gordon Strachan's next Scotland squad.