WHO were the best players in the Scottish Premiership in September? Looking through the very specific prism of match stats, we’ve deciphered which player in each position deserves praise above all others. There are no secret agendas or hidden allegiances here, just cold, hard facts.
GOALKEEPER
Joe Lewis (Aberdeen)
Aberdeen had the most impressive defensive record over the course of September with just one goal conceded in four league games. At the heart of that superb effort was goalkeeper Joe Lewis.
It might have been a different result had his nightmare showing at Motherwell in the Betfred Cup counted in our calculations but, since this is based on league form only, Lewis prevailed as the best goalkeeper in September.
However, despite conceding far fewer goals than his shot-stopping counterparts, Lewis still had to make far more saves per game, with 11 on average each matchday. Aberdeen’s defence looked far better than in August, but it would have conceded a lot more goals if not for Lewis between the posts.
DEFENDER
Kari Arnason (Aberdeen)
Naturally, such a defensive record then suggests one or two of Derek McInnes’ defenders must also be performing better than all others in the league. That is certainly the case when it comes to senior central defender Arnason.
Brought into the side after a troublesome 0-0 draw with Hearts at Murrayfield, Arnason has tightened up the defensive line with a superb degree of leadership. With 26 interceptions in just three games, he stands above all other in-form Premiership central defenders in his ability to cut out attacks through his reading of the game.
Motherwell’s Peter Hartley and Hibernian’s Efe Ambrose sit second and third behind the towering Icelander.
MIDFIELDER
Patrick Roberts (Celtic)
The biggest match in September was undoubtedly the Old Firm derby and over the course of that game, Celtic winger Patrick Roberts perhaps shone brighter than any other star that day – which, looking at the month as a whole, is no great surprise.
In just 156 Premiership minutes throughout September, Roberts bagged three assists. When we compare that to the best goalscoring and assist-creating midfielder in the league that month he comes out above all others with a goal or assist every 52 league minutes. Liam Craig, Gael Bigirimana and Callum McGregor all then follow in close pursuit.
FORWARD
Blair Spittal (Partick Thistle)
Partick Thistle have had a dreadful start to the season but if there is one glimmer of hope for Alan Archibald’s side, it is the form of young forward Blair Spittal.
The 21-year-old has scored three goals and bagged one assist in just four games. More importantly, he made sure each and every one counted towards something.
Although Alfredo Morelos and Adam Rooney both scored three goals in September, neither they nor any other goalscorer came close to being as vital as Spittal. The young forward’s goals were vital to each and every point Thistle picked up over the course of the four matchdays and that is what put him above all others in September.
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