As the dust begins to settle on league campaigns and attentions turn to the play-offs, it is worthwhile looking back over the season’s unsung performers.
While Tell Him He’s Pelé have compiled a definitive Team of the Year for the Championship, League 1 and League 2, this column will instead focus on the lesser lights – the players whose talents have not been acknowledged as often as they should have done, but whose contributions left an important mark on their teams.
Championship
Throughout the season’s earlier stages, Rangers were marked by a lack of dynamism in the middle of the park and didn’t really have anyone capable of carrying the ball forward. Tom Walsh seemed an unlikely candidate to fulfil the role – the youngster had performed adequately during a short loan spell at Stenhousemuir between September and December – but he brought an industry and tenacity that was missing from the Gers. He lit up his debut match, a 1-1 draw with Queen of the South in March, and has played a further seven times under Stuart McCall. Alongside the defensive-minded Andy Murdoch, Walsh might just be the axis on which the team is built around in the future.
His season might have been disrupted by injury but Raith Rovers’ David McGurn has consistently proven himself to be a wonderful goalkeeper. A shot-stopper of the highest calibre (his supernatural level of performance has seen him nicknamed “The Witch”), the 34-year-old is capable of pulling off saves others can only dream about. While Raith bobbed about indifferently in the middle of the Championship, McGurn’s quality was never in doubt. His new two-year contract, signed last month, was thoroughly deserved.
Alloa Athletic’s campaign might have ended a lot sooner had it not been for Liam Buchanan’s input. The striker has netted 16 goals in all competitions this season (comfortably the highest total at the club), including seven in seven matches between October and November. He pounces at decisive moments – his scored the equalisers in the Wasps’ two draws with Rangers, the 1-1 draw with Raith Rovers and the 2-2 draw with Queen of the South last month, and got the winner in November’s showdown with Livingston. Buchanan appeared to have lost his way after leaving Dunfermline Athletic in 2012 but his consistently mature displays this year have been impressive.
League 1
Declan McManus and Derek Gaston will inevitably take a lot of the credit for Morton’s success but it would be remiss to ignore Mark Russell’s progress this year. Russell’s powerful displays on the left flank have caught the eye and his willingness to bomb forward brought new dimensions to Morton’s attack. The full-back (he was converted from a winger) was originally kept out of the team by Ricki Lamie but when Lamie moved to centre-back, Russell seized his opportunity. His two finest moments of the year were his surging run and strike in March’s 4-0 win over Dunfermline Athletic and the thumping drive that put his side ahead on the final day of the season against Peterhead.
One of Airdrieonians’ greatest assets was their strong presence on the right wing. As Jamie Bain continued to improve at full-back, Ross Docherty’s rise to prominence played an important role in their close-but-not-close-enough season. Having joined the Diamonds from Livingston, Docherty took his time to make his mark but wing play and his ability to toss in good crosses was a huge boon to the likes of Bryan Prunty and Jim Lister. Retaining him for next year should be one of Gary Bollan’s priorities.
Stenhousemuir have experienced a fitful season but Paul McMullan has been the indelible bright spark. Signed on loan from Celtic, the little forward has bewitched with his ability to take his marker one way then the other before leaving them in his wake. His pace and close control has made him one of the most exciting players in the league, but he marries all the fancy stuff to an exceptional attitude and work-rate – he is always pressing and harrying defenders and dropping deep to support the midfield. There is still plenty for him to learn but McMullan has a bright future.
League 2
Queen’s Park’s success has been built on their solid defensive foundation and no-one epitomises that more than Bryan Wharton. Signed from Shotts Bon Accord, the fantastically-bearded 24-year-old had to bide his time while Tony Quinn and David MacGregor were preferred at centre-back but since becoming a regular pick in October, he has developed into a dominant force. Strong and powerful (what else would you expect from a Muay Thai boxer?), Wharton plays with intelligence and composure. It would be no surprise to see him progress to a bigger club soon.
The journey from San Sebastian to Methil is a road not often travelled, and Julen Etxabeguren Leanizbarrutia is surely the only player to have made the journey. The defender started the season as part of Real Sociedad’s 25-man Champions League squad before suddenly deciding to study on a full-time basis – Extabeguren moved to Scotland to attend university and somehow pitched up at East Fife. As you might expect from someone with his background, he is an exceptional talent, a genuine ball-playing centre-back capable of bringing the ball from the back with ease. The Basque is another player capable of performing at a higher level.
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