Caldwell claims top SPL award

12 May 2009 06:31
The Scotland centre-back collected the honour on Monday - a day after being given the Scottish Football Writers' award. Csaba Laszlo collected the Manager of the Season award at a dinner in Glasgow on Monday night after keeping Hearts in the top three for much of the campaign. Hibernian striker Steven Fletcher won the young player award to go with the same prize from his fellow professionals. The 22-year-old has scored 12 SPL goals for Hibernian so far this season, and netted his first goal for Scotland in the 2-1 victory over Iceland last month. Caldwell welcomed the award but he admitted he will have his worst season as a Celtic player unless his team overturn their two-point deficit on Rangers in the final three games. Celtic face Dundee United at Parkhead on Tuesday night after slipping two points behind their Old Firm rivals following a 1-0 defeat at Ibrox on Saturday. Caldwell said: "It's great, it's always nice to get awards. It's good to get some reward for your personal performances. "But football is a team game and there's still a reward I want for the team at the end of the season. That would really cap my season off. "I think it would be my worst season here if we don't win the league because we have won it for the last two seasons. "I would like to cap it off with another league championship, to go along with the awards I have already won." Celtic midfielder Marc Crosas won goal of the season for his long-range strike during Celtic's 7-0 win over St Mirren, while Motherwell keeper Graeme Smith took save of the season after stopping Dundee United midfielder Danny Swanson's dipping effort during a 1-1 draw in March. Elsewhere, Sean Welsh won the under-19 player award after captaining Hibernian to a league and cup double and both Motherwell and Rangers scooped two awards. Motherwell were recognised for their media relations and community initiatives - namely their Step Up campaign, which aims to steer teenage girls away from drink, drugs and criminal activity towards a healthier lifestyle. Rangers won the best fan marketing initiative for their family schemes and were also recognised for their match day hospitality. SPL chairman Lex Gold said: "Our clubs are working hard on and off the field to raise standards, and these awards recognise those efforts in what has been another dramatic season. "I'm also delighted that the excellent work our clubs do in, and with, their communities to tackle health, employment, education and citizenship challenges will be celebrated."

Source: Team_Talk