The first awards ceremony of the season, the inaugural Clydesdale Bank Premier League Awards, took place on Monday evening at The Kelvingrove Art Gallery, Glasgow.  In total, 10 awards were presented including Manager, Player and Young Player of the Season, Goal of the Season, Under 19 League Player of the Season, Best Away Ground, Best Club Media Relations, Best Matchday Hospitality Package, Best Fan Initiative and Best Community Initiative.

Rangers Manager Walter Smith has been named Manager of the Season .  In his first full season since returning to the club, Walter has led Rangers to a CIS Cup triumph and currently sees his side sit top of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League with eight games remaining.  Rangers are also still involved in the UEFA Cup and Scottish Cup with semi finals against Fiorentina and St Johnstone to come later this month.  Walter picked up three Clydesdale Bank Premier League Manager of the Month awards during the course of the season.

The Player of the Season has been awarded to Rangers defender Carlos Cuellar .  Carlos has adapted extremely well to his first season in Scottish football, having signed for Rangers from Spanish club Osasuna last summer.  He has been an integral part of his club’s fine season, featuring in every league game to date and helping the Ibrox side secure 14 clean sheets whilst conceding the fewest goals in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League this season.  Carlos picked up the Clydesdale Bank Premier League Player of the Month award in August.

Celtic midfielder Aiden McGeady has been named Young Player of the Season .  Aiden has been a virtual ever present this season for Celtic scoring seven league goals, including a December hat trick against Falkirk, and providing 15 assists.  Aiden also provided the Clydesdale Bank Premier League with one of the highlights of the season, performing an audacious piece of skill in the February game against Aberdeen at Pittodrie to set up team mate Scott McDonald to score.  Aiden picked up the Clydesdale Bank Premier League Player of the Month award for November and February.

Willo Flood of Dundee United’s goal against St Mirren on 15th December 2007 has been awarded Goal of the Season .  Willo’s goal, which rounded off a 3-0 victory for Dundee United, was a powerful strike from outside the penalty box and was the culmination of an excellent passing move.

The Clydesdale Bank Under 19 League Player of the Season has been won by Scott Anson of Kilmarnock.  Eighteen year old Scott has had an excellent season for Kilmarnock’s Under 19 side, featuring in 17 of the club’s 19 fixtures to date and scoring four goals.  Scott has also made the step up to reserve team football this season and was named as the Clydesdale Bank Under 19 Rising Star for September.  He has since gained international recognition with the Scotland Under 19 squad.

Of the remaining awards, Best Club Media Relations has been awarded to Kilmarnock, with Best Matchday Hospitality Package going to Rangers.  Hearts picked up Best Away Ground and Best Fan Initiative for their ‘Magnificent 7’ project.  The final award, Best Community Initiative, was won by Falkirk for their ‘Falkirk Solutions’ project.

Commenting on the Clydesdale Bank Premier League Awards – Season 2007/2008, Clydesdale Bank’s Retail Director Steve Reid said:
“This season has been our first as sponsor of the Scottish Premier League and we are delighted with what has been a very exciting campaign.  From the beginning of our sponsorship we were keen to recognise outstanding achievements across the SPL both on and off the field.  The inaugural Clydesdale Bank Premier League Awards are testament to this and acknowledge the contribution made by all twelve clubs in what has been a highly successful and enjoyable season.”

Hearts Best Away Ground award	Rangers Best Matchday Hospitality Package	Falkirk Best Community Initiative award

Lex Gold, Executive Chairman of the SPL commented:
“Congratulations to all the winners. These awards reflect the good work being done both on and off the field. Walter Smith, Carlos Cuellar and Aiden McGeady have recently deserved their success.”

A panel of Scottish football experts chose the award winners for the Manager, Player, Young Player and Goal of the Season.  The Under 19 Player of the Season was voted for by the Under 19 coaches at each of the 12 Clydesdale Bank Premier League clubs while Best Away Ground was voted for by Clydesdale Bank Premier League fans through Clydesdale Bank’s football website, www.cbfootball.co.uk .  Submissions were invited from all clubs for Best Community Initiative and Best Fan Initiative with the winners chosen by a panel of representatives from both Clydesdale Bank and the Scottish Premier League.  Clydesdale Bank employees voted on Best Matchday Hospitality Package and Best Club Media Relations was voted for by Scotland’s sports media.

Walter Smith & Carlos Cuellar	Aiden McGeady Young Player of the Season	Jonathan Watson entertains the crowd
Celtic badge projection	Kelvingrove set up	Hearts badge projection
Kilmarnock's Danny Invincible and Gary Locke arrive	Motherwell's Mark McGhee and Scott Leitch arrive	ICT Manager Craig Brewster arrives
Best Fan Initiative	Tribute to Phil O'Donnell	Dundee United's Noel Hunt and Willo Flood arrive