Robbie Neilson named on PFA Scotland Manager of the Year shortlist

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 29 April 2015

Hearts manager Robbie Neilson is nominated for the PFA Scotland Manager of the Year award, alongside Ronny Deila, John Hughes and Derek McInnes.

Hearts boss Robbie Neilson has been named on the shortlist for the PFA Scotland Manager of the Year award alongside Celtic's Ronny Deila, Inverness Caledonian Thistle's John Hughes and Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes.

Neilson took charge of the newly-relegated Edinburgh club last summer and guided them to the Scottish Championship title, securing a return to the top flight at the first time of asking.

Hearts have already notched a record points haul of 90 with one match of the season to go, and victory over Rangers on the final day would open up an emphatic 27-point gap between the two clubs.

Thirty-four-year-old Neilson, who is in his first job in management, is the only manager from outside the top flight on the four-man shortlist, with Deila heading the remaining candidates.

The Celtic boss is on course to clinch a double in his maiden year at Parkhead, leading the Scottish Premiership by eight points with four games remaining having already clinched the League Cup.

His side were beaten by Inverness in the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup, however, and Hughes has also been nominated for the award having guided the club to the brink of a debut European campaign.

Caley Thistle are in line for a top-three finish in the Premiership, in addition to reaching the final of the cup, where they will face Falkirk.

Last year's winner McInnes is up for the award again having already secured a first top-two finish in 21 years for Aberdeen.