Team of the Week

Craig Fowler from @terracepodcast selects his SPFL team of the week:

Derek Gaston (Morton)
The keeper is a big reason why Morton are currently only a point off top spot in League 1 and he produced another vital save on Saturday. A goal down at home to Ayr, things seemed lost for the hosts when United forward Jordan Preston found himself one-on-one with Gaston. The on-loan Blackburn kid looked set to secure the points, only for Gaston to produce a remarkable point-blank save, setting the scene for the incredible injury-time turnaround which saw Jim Duffy’s men snatch a 2-1 win at the death.

Jason Denayer (Celtic)
Ronny Deila wants him to stay at Parkhead for another season to continue his progression and it's clear to see why the Celtic boss is so fond of the Manchester City loanee. Denayer is not just a rock-solid defender, he's also a talented footballer, and he displayed both sides of his game as Celtic strolled to victory on Saturday against Dundee United.

Conrad Balatoni (Partick Thistle)
His faced a challenge when Alan Archibald brought in Frederic Frans to play alongside Dan Seaborne in the heart of the Thistle defence. However, since getting his place back, Balatoni has been a colossus and put in another solid display on Saturday to help Partick Thistle to a clean sheet against Caley Thistle and their first back-to-back league victories since returning to the Premiership.

Jamie Duff (Elgin City)
Elgin's away form since hiring Jim Weir has been excellent. It's now one defeat in seven on the road for a team which previously looked in real danger of dropping out of the SPFL. While they've usually focused on outscoring their opponents in these matches, on Saturday they were able to claim victory behind a robust defensive performance. Duff marshalled the back unit while mopping up any dangerous Clyde attacks in the 2-0 win at Broadwood.

Lionel Ainsworth (Motherwell)
On his day, the Englishman is a proven match-winner and arguably the best pure striker of a ball in Scottish football. His first goal in Motherwell's 4-0 win against Hamilton Accies on Friday night was an absolute thunderbolt. He then followed it up with a difficult finish on the angle to double the home side's lead, before curling in a superb cross for John Sutton to make it 3-0.

Morgaro Gomis (Hearts)
It will be a highly difficult task to select just one star when it is time to dish out the Player of the Year honours at Tynecastle. For his sheer consistency alone, however, Morgaro Gomis will be in with a real chance. The midfielder is tireless in his application, and his composure on the ball sets the tempo for one of the best pure football teams in recent memory. Saturday's win over Falkirk saw him produce another masterclass in midfield play.

Nir Bitton (Celtic)
Strolled through Celtic's 3-0 win over Dundee United and demonstrated all the qualities which have enabled him to go from a bit-part player to essential member of the first team under Ronny Deila. His size and understanding of the game help him break up opposing attacks, and his range of passing is excellent. It's meant the absence of Charlie Mulgrew has not been the kind of blow fans might previously have envisaged.

Michael Gardyne (Ross County)
Sometimes a player and a club just seem to go together. There's no explanation as to why. It just so happens that the fans, or the shirt, or the ambience of the stadium seem to bring out the best in someone, and that is certainly the case with Michael Gardyne at Ross County. His direct running and overall dynamism have been a huge contributing factor toward County's resurgence in the top flight. On Saturday it led to a match-winning contribution with a goal and an assist in a 2-1 win over Killie.

Lee Wallace (Rangers)
As Wallace publicly stated, it's not been an easy time for the Scotland international of late but yesterday's victory at Easter Road could easily herald a new beginning for the club, and a fresh start for the left-back. Wallace was back to his best, bombing up and down the wing, looking completely at home in Rangers’ 3-5-2 formation. Not many players give David Gray a hard time, but Wallace won the individual battle and even got himself on the scoresheet.

Chris Templeman (Forfar)
Tricky playing conditions dictated that the ball spent longer in the air than perhaps either manager would have liked in Forfar's 3-2 win at local rivals Brechin, though this suited the veteran striker as he bullied the opposing centre-backs and won almost everything in the air. His hold-up play was excellent and he also bagged the second goal in a vital win for the Loons.

Osman Sow (Hearts)
The striker didn't score but showed the strength in his all-round game to give Falkirk a torrid time and helped Hearts to a 3-0 victory. The Jambos may have kept on winning when Sow was out of the side through injury but there is no doubt they've looked back to their indestructible best since his return. An excellent talent who will give Premiership defenders many a sleepless night next year.

Formation: 3-5-2
Gaston
Denayer, Duff, Balatoni
Ainsworth, Gomis, Bitton, Gardyne, Wallace
Sow, Templeman

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