- Nico O’Reilly is tipped to win Premier League Young Player of the Year
- Ally McCoist says O’Reilly is a ‘shoo-in’ for the award
- McCoist also backs him to win Player of the Year
Former Scotland international Ally McCoist has tipped Manchester City’s Nico O’Reilly to win two awards after an incredibly impressive season.
O’Reilly put in another excellent display as Man City beat Arsenal 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday. The fullback impressed once again, and was singled out for praise my McCoist.
Having shaken off a hamstring issue picked up in last weekend’s 3-0 win at Chelsea, the 21-year-old was deemed fit to start against the Gunners.
He delivered another strong performance, having already registered nine goals and six assists in all competitions this season, primarily from left-back.
Ally McCoist backs Nico O’Reilly for double award success
Speaking after Sunday’s game, ex-Rangers striker-turned-pundit McCoist believes O’Reilly is capable of winning both Premier League Young Player of the Year and the overall Player of the Year awards.
The 63-year-old told TalksSPORT: He’s a shoo-in for Young Player of the Year… I think he can win both awards.”
Nico O'Reilly could win Premier League Player of the Year AND Young Player of the Year, according to Ally McCoist:
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) April 20, 2026
“He’s a shoo-in for Young Player of the Year… I think he can win both awards.”
Do YOU agree? 🤔🏆 pic.twitter.com/p1TqwlahIi
McCoist is by no means the only person to publicly back O’Reilly to win Young Player of the Year this season.
City boss Guardiola has also called for O’Reilly to win the award, with the Catalan coach stating the ‘incredible’ fullback is more than deserving of such recognition.
How O’Reilly has tormented Arsenal this season
Having scored both goals in last month’s Carabao Cup final, Arsenal were no strangers to the threat O’Reilly poses.
However, Mikel Arteta’s side were once again unable to stop the youngster from having an impact at the weekend.
His ability to float between spaces and make decisive runs down the left-hand side caused huge problems for Arsenal once more, with O’Reilly’s movement making it almost impossible for defenders to track him effectively.
Can Nico O’Reilly win both awards?
Awarded to the best Premier League player aged 23 or under the Young Player of the Year award almost feels like a formality for O’Reilly.
Winning both that and the overall Player of the Year honour will be more of a challenge, but it is not impossible.
The last player to win both awards in a single season was Erling Haaland, who scooped both during his debut season at the Etihad in 2022-23.
