Motherwell Right-Back Max Johnston Wins SFWA Young Player of the Year

Max Johnston was named Scottish Football Writers’ Association (SFWA) Young Player of the Year, capping off a season that would see the 19-year-old register two goals and three assists in 14 Scottish Premiership appearances. Motherwell boss Stuart Kettlewell was full of praise for his full-back and believes Scottish clubs should give their young players more opportunities.

“An amazing accolade and thoroughly deserving of it, in my opinion. I saw a stat recently about the number of young players in Scotland under the age of 21 that get the opportunity to play. I pay testament to the young lad, Dylan Smith, out there for Ross County, he comes on, 16 years old. Lennon Miller for us came to the park at 16. James Furlong, 19, Max Johnston, 19.“There’s not an awful lot of players playing an awful lot of football. It was something that was brought to my attention. I am a huge believer in it. We have to get a balance right with trying to produce our own and trying to filter through our own players, so I am delighted that Max has got that award, but I am also delighted that it shows that the process of academy players earning the right to play, the achievements that can come off the back of it.”

Born in Middlesbrough, England, Johnston joined Motherwell's academy at 12 years old and rose up the ranks before making his first-team debut on February 13, 2021, against Hamilton Academical, following that up by playing the full 90 minutes a week later against St Johnstone. The following season, he joined Queen of the South and racked up 2 goals and 2 assists in 25 league appearances, becoming a regular in Scotland's second tier under the tutelage of his father and former Scotland international Allan Johnston.

Celtic Winger Jota Pays Homage to Portugal Legend Fernando Chalana