Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers tips Kris Boyd as Player of the Year

CELTIC’S domestic dominance looks set to be reflected in the major individual awards at the end of the season.

Hoops pair Scott Brown and James Forrest have both been touted for Player of the Year while, with his side in the hunt for back-to-back Trebles, Brendan Rodgers is among the front-runners to be named 2017-18’s best manager.

The Northern Irishman, though, has suggested an alternative from outside his own group – former Rangers striker Kris Boyd.

“I think if you are talking Player of the Year, you have to look at Kris,” he said.

“Ever since Stevie Clarke’s arrival at Kilmarnock, he has done very, very well.

“Kris is 34 years old now, and when you are an older professional, just keeping yourself available all the time can be difficult.

“But Stevie has put the trust in him, and given him the confidence, and he has responded to that in style.

“I don’t think there has been any doubt that, through his career, Kris has been brilliant from 20 yards in.

“Striking the ball, heading the ball, supplying clinical finishes – he does it all.

“He just smells a goal, and it is there.

“And, remember, Killie play a counter-attacking game, so he is starting from a really deep position as well.

“He is getting up there and you see his finishes have been really, really good.”

Elsewhere, the efforts of Hibs in holding the champions to 2-2 draws in both Glasgow and Edinburgh made an impression on Rodgers, in particular the efforts of Dylan McGeouch and John McGinn.

“Both those players have been very, very good. They would also be stand-outs in the category,” said the Celtic manager.

“It was probably hard for McGeouch at our club to get game time as a young player.

“He has joined Hibs, and in the games I have seen him against us – and other teams – he is technically very good.

“He has good energy and looks like he can run all day.

“He plays the game well and if he can add some more goals, then he can be even more effective.

“There is no doubt, too, that John McGinn has improved and that is a great credit to Neil Lennon and his coaching staff.

“I saw clips of him when I first came up because I wasn’t aware of him at St Mirren.

“Watching him grow and develop, it is great for the boy.”