Dunfermline: Matty Todd and Kyle Benedictus up for PFA Scotland awards

The 21-year-old, who missed Dunfermline's final three games of the season after having his appendix removed, has been shortlisted alongside team-mate, Kyle Benedictus, for the honour, alongside Queen of the South's Ruari Paton, and Airdrieonians forward, Calum Gallagher.

Boyhood fan Todd's 11 goals from midfield have played a crucial part in Athletic's League One title success, which he described as being something that "a kid dreams of".

The former Dunfermline High School pupil, who joined the club from the Fife Elite Football Academy, has collected a number of individual accolades, including the Joe Nelson Young Player of the Year, and the Gary Riddell Players Player of the Year, shared with Joe Chalmers, at the Dunfermline Athletic Centenary Club Player of the Year awards.

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Todd was further feted last Saturday evening when he received the Kincardine Dunfermline Athletic Supporters Club's Player of the Year, with Chalmers their runner-up, and, when asked if he had room for more awards following his PFA Scotland nomination, he laughed: "I do, certainly that one anyway!

"It would be another nice one to add to what's happened this season. It's been a good one for myself personally, and collectively as well, so it'd be another nice thing.

"It's good to be a nominee for one of the best players in the league. It's something I'm happy to be put forward for, and it's good to see that the other players in the league have noticed what I've been doing throughout the year. I'm happy with it.

"I think you play the same boys the whole year and, over the course of the season, they've obviously seen that I've managed to help out throughout the year. For them to nominate me for player of the year, I'm just delighted with it, to be honest."

Kyle Benedictus (left) and Matty Todd (right) have been nominated for the PFA Scotland League One Player of the Year. (Image: Craig Brown.)

Todd and Benedictus will attend Sunday's gala awards evening in Glasgow, where the winners of the accolades voted by their fellow pros will be revealed, and is hopeful that some of their team-mates will join them to continue the celebrations following an outstanding campaign.

"Kyle's been our leader on and off the pitch," Todd noted.

"He's been brilliant with the boys in the changing room, so he thoroughly deserves it. All the best to him!"

Benedictus, who revealed he voted for Gallagher, having been given his "toughest game" against him, said: "I probably couldn't have asked for much more throughout the season towards the end, and to be nominated.

"Matty and the other two have had fantastic seasons as well, so we'll see what happens."

Of his nomination, Benedictus said: "Personally, obviously, it’s always nice from your fellow peers to be nominated, myself and Matty.

"I’ve said a few times this week that any one of those boys could be up there with what the boys have done this season. It’s been a team effort that’s got us so much success. There’s no individuality out there, it’s all about the team, and, on a personal note, I’m obviously delighted for myself, and the family are delighted as well.

"I probably couldn’t have asked for much more throughout the season towards the end."

Pars boss, James McPake, who has been nominated for PFA Scotland manager of the year, going up against Celtic's Ange Postecoglou, St Mirren's Stephen Robinson, and Stirling Albion's ex-Par, Darren Young, added: "It's not surprising with the season they've had. Congratulations to (Calum) Gallagher and (Ruiari) Paton as well. They have been excellent this season. Four worthy nominations, in my opinion anyway.

"It's little things like that that are important, particularly when it's your peers. That's a good one for the players and I'm delighted we've got a couple of nominations for the player of the year.

"They ones are really important, when your own players are voting for you. I'm delighted for both of them but not surprised either."