Ange Postecoglou picked up his Manager of the Year gong from the SFWA on Sunday night, but will he still be the top boss if Rangers go all the way in Europe?
Keith Jackson: Obviously an award from the football writers is the one they all want. But Giovanni van Bronckhorst will probably be able to console himself if he takes UEFA’s trophy back from Seville. And it wouldn’t make Postecoglou’s work across the city any less remarkable or worthy of recognition.
Andy Newport: The deadlines for these awards always leave you vulnerable to these kinds of awkward situations. Celtic's Aussie boss has done an incredible job transforming a broken squad but for me, there's no doubt GVB would deserve the prize if he takes his place beside Jock Stein, Willie Waddle and Sir Alex Ferguson in the exclusive club of men to bring Euro glory back to Scotland.
David McCarthy: If Rangers win the Europa League there's a very strong argument for van Bronckhorst because that's a ridiculous achievement. That doesn't mean Postecoglou hasn't worked wonders. He is a worthy winner but winning a European trophy is difficult to ignore.
Michael Gannon: In fairness, the award is to recognise domestic achievements and he’s been the top man, especially considering what he walked in to. Gio van Bronckhorst has been outstanding in Europe and folk will need to accept they are both exceptional managers.
Steven Gerrard said last week the credit for Gers' Seville surge belongs entirely to Gio van Bronckhorst - but doesn't the former Ibrox boss deserve a portion of the plaudits too?
Keith: Yes. It was Gerrard who began this transformation, who built the squad Van Bronckhorst inherited and who made Rangers fit for purpose on the European stage. None of this would have been possible without him.
Andy: Of course. Rangers were a shell of a club before the former Liverpool skipper got his hands on them. It was his guidance which made Rangers believe they could be a force on the continent again. Van Bronckhorst has built superbly on some incredibly strong foundations.
David: Of course he does. He set Rangers on this path and his own European campaigns were successful. Van Bronckhorst has taken the team further in Europe, but the foundations were laid by Gerrard.
Michael: Gerrard built this squad for buttons in European terms so of course he should get a nod. He laid the foundations and it’s incredible the bargain buys such as James Tavernier, John Lundstram, Glen Kamara and co have got Gers to this stage.
Record Sport revealed on Saturday that Scott Brown has hung up his boots for good. How will he fare as a boss?
Keith: First, he’ll have to wait for his chance but it stands to reason that someone somewhere will see it as a risk worth taking. Brown may like to put himself down but there’s a big football brain underneath that shaven head - and he has the knack of taking people with him. He’s got all the attributes required to make the transition.
Andy: If he tackles the management game with the same fervour that he used to launch himself at his opponents then he'll be a hit, although I'm not sure Raith Rovers is the place to take his first step given the questionable moves made by the Kirkcaldy board - signing David Goodwillie being the prime example - in recent months.
David: Nobody knows until he's in the dugout, but as far as leadership qualities and football experience is concerned, he's got a real chance.
Michael: There are absolutely no guarantees but Brown has got the tools. He’s turned into a real student of the game in recent years and will have a heck of a support group with the likes of Brendan Rodgers, Gordon Strachan and Neil Lennon to help him on his way. He doesn’t do half measures so don’t bet against him cracking management.
Dundee's defeat at St Mirren has all but condemned Mark McGhee's men to the drop but how will St Johnstone get on in the play-offs?
Keith: The system is rigged in favour of the top flight team and, for that reason alone, St Johnstone should be grateful. But their form this season has been so poor that it’s beggared belief. They are exactly where they deserve to be and it could be a coin toss from here.
Andy: The play-offs are weighted in the Premiership team's favour but Hamilton and Dundee have both proved it's possible for the second-tier teams to cause an upset. Neither Inverness nor Arbroath will be easy for a Saints side short on form. I worry for the Perth outfit.
David: Tough one to call against either Inverness or Arbroath, who are going in with real momentum. Saints SHOULD have enough to edge it but I wouldn't be betting a forged fiver on the outcome.
Michael: The lack of a goal threat could be a killer for them. They are showing little signs of form and will come up against a Championship side with momentum and confidence – and especially if’s it’s Arbroath – a feeling they have nothing to lose. Saints are in big bother.
