Players- They Couldnae Pick Their Noses - Or Could They?

RECEIVED wisdom in horse racing circles has it that punters should never listen to the advice of jockeys; apparently the guys who actually ride the horses haven't a clue about their animals' chances in a race.

Extrapolating this information across to football, we ought not perhaps pay attention to the thoughts of the players, when it comes to selecting the PFA Teams of the Year for the four divisions in the SPFL. Any way, for what it is worth, these selections, announced during the week were:

Premiership Team of the Year

Scott Bain (Dundee); Shay Logan (Aberdeen), Alim Ozturk (Heart of Midlothian), Andrew Davies (Ross County), Kieran Tierney (Celtic); Jonny Hayes, Kenny McLean, Graeme Shinnie (all Aberdeen), Kane Hemmings (Dundee); Leigh Griffiths (Celtic), Greg Stewart (Dundee).

Championship Team of the Year

Danny Rogers (Falkirk); James Tavernier (Rangers), Darren McGregor (Hibernian), Peter Grant (Falkirk), Lee Wallace; Jason Holt ( both Rangers), John McGinn (Hibernian), Barrie McKay (Rangers), John Baird (Falkirk); Martyn Waghorn (Rangers), Jason Cummings (Hibernian).

League 1 Team of the Year

Graeme Smith (Peterhead); Nicky Devlin (Ayr United), Michael Dunlop (Albion Rovers), Ben Richards-Everton (Dunfermline Athletic), Paddy Boyle (Ayr United); Liam Watt (Airdrieonians), Andy Geggan, Joe Cardle (both Dunfermline Athletic), Greig Spence (Cowdenbeath); Rory McAllister (Peterhead), Faissal el Bakhtaoui (Dunfermline Athletic).

League 2 Team of the Year

Chris Smith (Stirling Albion); Ricky Little (Arbroath), Jonathan Page, Gary Naysmith (both East Fife), Scott Linton (Clyde); Matty Flynn (Annan Athletic), Kyle Wilkie (East Fife), Bobby Linn (Arbroath), Peter Weatherson (Annan Athletic); Nathan Austin (East Fife), Craig Gunn (Elgin City).

As with most selections, not made by one single all-powerful manager, these teams have since, in particular the Premiership XI, been ripped apart, with those "experts" in the Scottish Football Writers Association leading the charge.

Much of their criticism stemmed from the fact Celtic, the runaway Champions, have only managed to get two players into the team. Now, remember, this team was chosen by their peers - the guys who go head-to-head with the chosen XI week-in, week-out.

My cautionary opening paragraph notwithstanding, surely these guys KNOW who is giving them a hard time on the park, who is playing well. It says a lot about the paucity of the competition in Scotland that just about the worst Celtic team I can recall, although there were some honking combinations wearing the Hoops during Rangers' nine-in-a-row seasons, has been leading the pack all season.

Nobody can dispute the right of Griffiths and Tierney, (pictured below), to be in the team, I honestly cannot make a case for anyone else in the Celtic squad to be there as well.

The Championship XI was less-contentious. I understand one or two members of the Lap Top Loyal were upset that the chosen team was not an all-Rangers XI, but, what's new there? Actually, looking at the two selections, I fancy the Championship XI just might be capable of beating the Premiership one -now that might be a game worth seeing.

As regards the League 1 and 2 selections, good to see former Under-21 caps Graeme and Chris Smith and Rory McAllister chosen - I really feel, McAllister ought to be playing at a higher level. I feel too, there is a great case study for a competent sports psychologist there. Good also, to see Gary Naysmith still showing his class at the age of 37. He has had a terrific season with East Fife.

The apparently ageless Gary Naysmith in his Scotland days

The (English) FA fields an England C team, which is drawn from the ranks of the non-league players from the English Conference. I have long felt, a game between that England side and one drawn from the part-time ranks in our two lowest divisions, plus the best of our Highland and Lowland League players would be a game worth seeing.

Some years back - I am talking 30 or so, there was a multi-nation Non-League tournament at the end of the season, in which these sides met.With the correct format, this might well be a goer. Or, how about a mini-tournament: League 1 Select, League 2 Select, Highland League Select and Lowland League Select?

Or, we could restore the old Scottish League XI, but limit it to players from the bottom three divisions, to play the two Irish Leagues and the Welsh League - which are also mainly part-time, each season.

An England C squad of non-league players, why not a Scotland one?