Celtic find themselves top of the table for the first time since August and many new stars have emerged amongst the team with usual performers such as Callum McGregor helping take Celtic forward under new manager Ange Postecoglou. This season was billed to be a transitional one for Celtic with the disaster of last season seeming to pose a threat at Celtic’s ability to challenge for a long time. Although, this team has been a revelation and many new stars have helped accelerate the process of the rebuild a great deal. Player of the Year awards are normally given out at the end of the season, but it is ever too early to look at some possible contenders with 25 games played already in the league.

Joe Hart

The Englishman came into Celtic with a reputation as a big name whose best days were surely behind him, but he has been able to recapture form at the club since his arrival. Hart was perhaps the biggest name of the summer signings, and many fans had their reservations after years spent without regular playing time, but he has been a revelation between the sticks. Hart leads the clean sheet charts with 13 in 25 games which is three clear of his nearest competitor, former Celt Craig Gordon. Fans were quickly proved wrong to have their worries over the former England international and he has provided stability in a position which last season was the cause of so much frustration and worry. The impact he has had and the leadership he has brought to the back line of Celtic surely make him a strong contender for POTY.

Liel Abada

At just 20 years of age the Israeli international has been a sensation since joining the Hoops from Maccabi Petah Tikva FC. An unknown young prospect was something fans had seen before, and few held out serious hopes that this would be any different from past failed project signings, but Abada’s record this season speaks for itself. For someone so young to notch up 25 goal contributions so far in their debut season is outstanding. A player who initially received criticism from fans for his lack of directness has silenced critics in the best way possible and has become a consistent performer and source of goals. A breath of fresh air on the right wing in a position Celtic have been crying out for competition in for years. Due to his age young player of the year is the more likely accolade but if he continues to perform the way he is until the end of the season there is no reason why the top prize should be out of reach.

Kyogo Furuhashi

As far as fan favourites go with the Celtic support, few have received such an overwhelmingly positive welcome than Japanese star Kyogo Furuhashi. The lightning quick forward arrived as one of the first summer signings of Ange Postecoglou as an unknown talent from the J League despite being top scorer there. His signing paved the way for Celtic to further tap into the Japanese market with huge success and Kyogo has been on top form since joining the Hoops. Despite being plagued with injuries this season Kyogo has been vital in Celtic’s goal scoring exploits this season being top scorer with 16 goals in all competitions. His most notable moment came in the League Cup Final when the Japanese international returned from injury to fire Celtic to their first silverware under the new manager with a brace in a 2-1 win over Hibs. When fit it is hard to think of anyone more suited to leading the line of this exciting Celtic team and the adoration from fans means it is hard to look past him as a POTY frontrunner.

Celtic POTY Contenders so far