The Scottish Premiership has reached the midway point - and what a season it has been so far.
For the first time since Aberdeen in 1993 a team other than Celtic or Rangers will be leading the table heading into the new year.
Hearts will start 2026 three points clear of Celtic at the top of the standings after a stunning first half of the campaign, while an impressive Motherwell side are also in the mix sitting just two points behind third-placed Rangers.
The halfway mark feels like a natural point to reflect on who the stand out players have been over the opening round of fixtures.
Unsurprisingly Hearts players feature heavily in our team of the season so far, while Celtic and Rangers, who usually dominate any best XI compilations, can only muster one representative each amid turbulent times for both Old Firm clubs.
Here is our Scottish Premiership team of the season so far, lined up in a 4-4-2 formation...
9. ML: Alexandros Kyziridis - Hearts
One of the finds of the summer on a pre-contract from Slovakian side MFK Zemplin Michalovce. The Greek winger has contributed three goals and six assists to the Hearts' cause and has created more chances (45) than any other Premiership player in the opening half of the season. A joy to watch. | SNS Group
10. CF: Lawrence Shankland - Hearts
For all the Jamestown Analytics transfer finds, the re-signing of the club captain was arguably Hearts' best piece of business in the summer. The top scorer in the Premiership with 10 goals, few would bet against the Scotland striker going beyond the 20 mark for the third time in four seasons at Tynecastle. Could he be lifting the league trophy come May? | SNS Group
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11. CF: Claudio Braga (Hearts)
The Portuguese just edges out Motherwell's Tawanda Maswanhise with the pair having identical scoring records so far - eight goals each - but the Hearts man has an extra assist to his name, as well as the crucial opening goal against Celtic at Parkhead earlier this month. It would be remiss for any team of the season so far not to include Braga given his impact at Tynecastle. | SNS Group