Declan McManus has been nominated for the PFA Scotland League One Player of the Year.
The striker, who is on loan at Greenock Morton, has scored 20 goals this season and has helped the Cappielow side to the situation where they are on the verge of promotion with two games of the season to go. Declan also scored three goals in two games for the Dons U20s in January before he re-joined Morton for a second loan spell.
Declan, along with his fellow nominees from Division One, as well as the Championship and League Two, were announced today at a press conference in Edinburgh and the Scotland U21 player spoke to www.afc.co.uk
“It is a great honour to be nominated, especially as it is my first full season playing in professional football. Being nominated is made even more special because it has come from my fellow players. It is always nice being recognised by your fellow pros. It is a good feeling.
“I have loved every minute of my time at Morton.
“For me football is just about being happy and enjoying the game. Playing at Morton gave me that chance as the gaffer does not quite think I am just ready for Aberdeen yet. I asked for the chance to go back out on loan in January as I feel I will become a better player from playing more games.
“Having been top scorer in the Youth League for two seasons, I felt it was important that I faced a new challenge and playing in League One has been a good challenge for me at this stage of my career.
“It is the closest league in Scotland so there have been a lot of tight matches and all the games are very competitive. It has been a good learning curve.
“We have two games left this season, two massive games. If we win them then we win the league. It is in our hands but we have to win both games. We are confident we can win them but they will be two very tough games. It will be like playing two cup finals. We are away to Stranraer next Saturday and on the final day of the season we play are at home Peterhead. We have beaten both sides this season already but they will be two very difficult games. As I say all the games in the league are close.
“At my age, to be playing in games of that stature, chasing a league title, it is all very good experience for my development.
“I have scored 20 goals this season. 17 in the league and I am the top scorer in the division so I am pleased that I have played my part
“Although I have been away from Pittodrie for most of the season it is great to see how well the boys are doing, the first team and the U20s.”
SPFL League 1 Nominees | Willie Gibson (Stranraer), Declan McManus (Morton), Jamie Stevenson (Peterhead), and Alan Trouten (Brechin City).
