SPFL December Team of the Month

In spite of the fact two whole rounds of fixtures were postponed, there was still a plethora of action in the Scottish Premiership in December.

A total of thirty three games were played and today, I’ll putting the best performers from those matches into a starting eleven. 

As ever, there will be no restrictions over specific positions, tactics and the like. Let’s begin. 

Goalkeeper - Allan McGregor 

Under Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Allan McGregor has really nailed down the number one spot at Rangers. The thirty nine year old played ninety minutes in all of Rangers’ six Scottish Premiership games in December, keeping a clean sheet in each of them. Admittedly, McGregor has not had much to do in these matches, averaging just 2.2 saves per game however, the Scot did put in a man of the match performance when Rangers traveled to Tynecastle. McGregor made several salient stops, mainly to deny Liam Boyce. Rangers have their keeper’s performance to thank for the fact they came away with all three points that day despite scoring two goals themselves. At thirty nine years of age, Allan McGregor continues to defy the odds and will continue to do so as long as his body allows him to, one would think. 

Defender - Sondre Solholm Johansen

Motherwell’s Norwegian defender Sondre Solholm Johansen has stood out in the two appearances he’s made in the Scottish Premiership this month. The centre back has been a great contributor to the Steelmen’s success in late December as they won 2-0 and 2-1 against St. Johnstone and Livingston respectively. Solholm bagged himself an assist as well as a man of the match performance in Motherwell’s aforementioned victory over St. Johnstone. His magnificent pass found Kevin van Veen in behind the St. Johnstone defence; the Dutchman done the rest and converted past Zander Clark. The Norwegian also put in a well founded performance against Livingston on the final game before the winter break. He came close to scoring his first Motherwell goal in the second half however it wasn’t to be for Solholm. Nevertheless, the defender won countless duels to back up his man of the match performance in the prior match. 

Defender - David Bates 

Aberdeen won four out of five in December. The Dons got back on form, keeping two clean sheets along the way. Centre back David Bates has been a standout in the Aberdeen backline during this run. Bates is a calming presence on the ball and is also not afraid to put in a key tackle or win an aerial duel. In addition, the former Hamburg man is a threat when in the opposition box. He scored his maiden Aberdeen goal against Livingston at the beginning of December as he showed the instincts of a striker to volley home from a Jonny Hayes cross. Bates seems to have found a home in the Granite city after his move to Europe with Hamburg didn’t really work out. 

Defender - Ayo Obileye

Livingston experienced a slight upturn in form in December as they climbed to eighth in the Scottish Premiership table. A lot of the West Lothian’s clubs success could be down to central defender Ayo Obileye’s return to the heart of defence. The Englishman has combined defensive solidity along with an attacking threat, scoring two goals in December. He kept his cool at Tannadice to score the only goal of the game, from the spot, to help his side to a 1-0 victory. A week later, Obileye came to the fore once again. The twenty seven year old climbed high above his marker to head home at the back post and salvage a point for the Lions at the Tony Macaroni against Ross County. Unfortunately for Livi, Obileye was unable to prevent a Kevin van Veen masterclass on Boxing Day as his side fell to a 2-1 defeat. However, the 6”4 centre half has undoubtedly been a shrewd bit of business for Livingston, signing on a free from Queen of the South in the summer. 

Midfielder - Joe Aribo

Joe Aribo seems to be another Rangers player who has been reborn under Giovanni van Bronckhorst. The Nigerian International has took up a more advanced role than in previous years, playing just off Alfredo Morelos up top. Aribo can carry the ball, create chances for his teammates and score goals. The twenty five year old opened his account for December with deflected effort from outside the box against Dundee. Aribo then scored a wonderful goal at Tynecastle. He deftly controlled a terrific ball from over the top and efficiently fired past Craig Gordon. Aribo went quiet for a week or so before coming back to the centre on Boxing Day, his cross meeting the head of Scott Wright to help Rangers to a 2-0 victory. I’m sure Aribo’s form will be a significant miss to Rangers when the Nigerian departs in mid January for the Africa Cup of Nations. 

Midfielder - Regan Charles-Cook

The progress Ross County have made in the past few months has been tremendous. The Highlanders sit tenth in the Scottish Premiership table and like to play expansive, attacking football, something that is to be greatly admired for a club with such limited means. One of their key players this season has been Grenadian winger Regan Charles-Cook. The twenty four year old has six goals and two assists in nineteen SPFL appearances this campaign with two of those six strikes coming in the past month. Charles-Cook looks to be key to most things Ross County do. Himself and Joseph Hungbo certainly cause headaches for opposition teams in wide areas. Charles-Cook scored the winner as County secured a huge three points against Dundee; he capitalised on Jordan Marshall’s mistake to volley home and make it 3-2 with twelve to play. I alluded to his partnership with Hungbo earlier and this came to fruition against St. Johnstone with the Watford loanee playing a sublime ball through for Charles-Cook who clinically fired home. Clearly, Regan Charles-Cook plays a vital role in Malky MacKay’s Staggies side. The twenty four year old could even be in line for another Grenada call up should he keep up his eye catching displays this season. 

Midfielder - Nir Bitton

The service Nir Bitton has given to Celtic in his time at the club is undeniable and although I’ve criticised the Israeli previously, I believe his contributions this month

have been vital, especially with Celtic having a depleted squad. Bitton has featured in all six of Celtic’s league games in December, starting four of them. The senior midfielder breaks up the play well and is tidy on the ball. He can pick a key pass and also win aerial battles. All of the above, Bitton has been doing lately. Particularly against St. Johnstone, the Israel International put in a stately display. Bitton led by example, wearing the captains armband. He even bagged himself a rare goal, firing into the bottom corner from the edge of the box. It is in times of need clubs need squad players like Bitton to step up. The holding midfielder has definitely heeded the call in the past few weeks. 

Midfielder - Tom Rogic 

Tom Rogic was arguably the greatest performer in the Scottish Premiership in December. The Australian scored two goals and registered three assists in six appearances as he rolled back the years. Rogic netted a goal of the season contender at Tannadice at the beginning of the month, beating several Dundee United players and finishing into the bottom corner. The twenty nine year old then added another to his tally one week later; a well worked free kick routine led to Rogic finishing into the top corner from the edge of the box. The attack minded midfielder also disposed his creative abilities in December, setting up three goals. His well hung up cross was headed home by Anthony Ralston to snatch three points in Dingwall. On the final game prior to the winter break, Rogic was once again involved for Celtic. The Australian proved his worth once more, setting up both Liel Abada and Nir Bitton. It is more than likely fellow Aussie Ange Postecoglou has played a vital role in Tom Rogic’s renaissance and long may it continue, from a Celtic point of view at least. 

Forward - Christian Ramirez

American striker Christian Ramirez enjoyed a December pervaded with both goals and assists. The thirty year old disposed his wide range of qualities as a forward through his creation and conversion of chances. Ramirez played a wonderful pass to break the lines which set up Ryan Hedges for the opener against Livingston at the beginning of the month. The former Houston Dynamo man bagged himself a double when St. Mirren visited Pittodrie. He skilfully finished into the bottom corner after Jay Emmanuel- Thomas’ shot went slightly wayward. Ramirez’s second goal was put on a plate for him by Teddy Jenks whose cross was tapped in at the back post by the American. On Boxing Day against Dundee, Ramirez displayed his creative abilities once more, laying off Lewis Ferguson on the edge of the eighteen yard box who fired in for the winner. Aberdeen seem to have found themselves a real number nine in Christian Ramirez. It appears Stephen Glass’ American connections are certainly proving their worth. 

Forward - Liel Abada

Celtic’s young winger struggled for consistency after a purple patch at the beginning of his spell at the club. However, in December, Liel Abada has got back on form, averaging a goal or assist every one hundred and twenty four minutes in the league. Abada came off the bench against Dundee United to set up Liam Scales for his maiden Celtic goal with a sublime cross. The first of the Israeli’s goals in December came in Dingwall. Liam Scales returned the favour of the previous ten days to Abada, playing in the twenty year old who couldn’t really miss. Abada then added to his goalscoring tally on the final game before the winter break, bagging a brace against St. Johnstone. He showed great persistence to earn his first, beating two Saints defenders in the air after his shot rebounded off Elliott Parish. Abada’s second was a much more cultured effort; he was magnificently played through by Tom Rogic and finished into the bottom corner. Abada’s return to the fore in December may be partly due to the fact he’s been deployed at striker, rather than on the wing. However, I’m sure his form will be very much welcomed by Celtic fans in the absence of several key players like Kyogo and Jota. 

Forward - Alfredo Morelos 

Alfredo Morelos has shown the best version of himself in the month of December. The Colombian striker netted four times and also set one up. His maiden goal of December came at Ibrox in a 3-0 win over Dundee with Morelos showing great desire to shove off numerous defenders and finish into the bottom corner. The striker also got himself on the scoresheet against Hearts, blasting in from close range. When Rangers took on St. Johnstone, the twenty five year old continued his admirable form. Morelos was involved in both goals as he put in a man of the match display. The scoring was opened when Morelos nodded home at the back post, like a typical number nine. As mentioned, he was also involved in Rangers’ second, playing a lovely pass to Ryan Kent who finished into the back of the net. Morelos’ final goal of the month came in the endmost game to the break. He was picked out in the box by Borna Barisic and headed in to help Rangers to a 2-0 victory over St. Mirren. Clearly, Alfredo Morelos has shown his natural goalscoring abilities this month. It appears the arrival of Giovanni van Bronckhorst has came to the Colombian’s assistance. 

That caps off my SPFL Team of the Month for December. The Scottish Premiership is not back in action for another few weeks with Celtic taking on Hibs in the first game back on the 17th of January. 

Due to there not being much action in the next few weeks, coupled with the fact I have Higher prelims in January, I will be limited to just one or two articles a week. However, I’d like to thank everyone for continuing to read my blog throughout the season so far and your support is greatly appreciated. 

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