It was a magical night for Monklands clubs at the PFA Player of the Year Awards on Sunday as Albion Rovers midfielder Charlie Reilly and Airdrieonians striker Calum Gallagher picked up the top prizes in their respective divisions.
Rovers star Reilly won the League Two Player of the Year after a fantastic individual season in a campaign that saw the club finish bottom of the division.
The 21-year-old scored 22 goals in 34 games and had 14 assists for the Cliftonhill club. His displays also saw him achieve an incredible feat of being nominated as the overall Young Player of the Year in Scotland, an accolade he missed out on to Rangers midfielder Malik Tillman.
Reilly has a huge final game for Rovers this weekend when he bids to help the club avoid the drop from the SPFL in their pyramid play-off final with Spartans.
And after picking up his prize, he told Sky Sports: “I’m over the moon. It has been a great season for me personally and I can’t think those that have voted for me enough.
“I’m kind of lost for words.
“It is difficult because all year we’ve not had the results we wanted and we are at the bottom of the table, and now we are in the play-offs.
“I’ve been getting a lot of goals and a lot of assists, so it is difficult to sum up, but I’m delighted with this.
“It has summed up my season, personally, but I’ve still got a job to do for Albion Rovers.”
Meanwhile, fresh from picking up the award for League One’s joint-top scorer alongside Queen of the South’s Ruari Paton, Calum Gallagher was crowned the best in the third tier this term.
The Diamonds hitman bagged 22 goals in 36 games this season to help them reach the Championship play-off final, which takes place this week.
And the 28-year-old said: “It is extra-special because it is voted on by the players in the league.
“They know how difficult and how trying it can be.
“A full campaign in League One can be particularly ugly at times, a real battle and not for the faint of heart, so to be recognised by them is a real privilege.
“I’m chuffed to bits and I certainly didn’t expect my five minutes of fame on stage.
“I don’t particularly remember anything of it. I think I was more embarrassed than anything else but I’m delighted by it now, with a bit of space from the stage.”
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