Barry Ferguson has named his four possible player of the year candidates - but there is no room for any Rangers stars.

The former Ibrox captain believes Celtic duo Kyogo Furuhashi and Callum McGregor are in with the best shout, but he has also named a trio of left-field options.

Ferguson believes Aberdeen's Duk, Motherwell's Kevin van Veen and St Mirren's Mark O'Hara could also be in with a shout for what they have achieved at their respective clubs.

He told Go Radio: "My four, I'm going Kyogo and McGregor and I think there could be a couple of surprises from other teams.

"I'm thinking two from Duk, Kevin van Veen and what about the boy Mark O'Hara at St Mirren?

"I've seen O'Hara a couple of times and he's gone up a level or two recently - he's someone St Mirren might struggle to hold onto.

"But it's going to come down to Kyogo or Callum McGregor.

"I think Kyogo will get over 30 goals this season and he's been so consistent - he'll pip Callum McGregor for Player of the Year."

Ferguson also responded to James Sands' criticism of Scottish football and admitted he wasn't impressed by the remarks.

Sands had spent time on loan at Ibrox - with the club having held an option to sign the 22-year-old - before returning to New York City FC.

And on his return to the MLS, Sands suggested he'll face a tougher challenge across the pond when discussing competing in the US competition.

In response, Ferguson said: "I don't like people saying things like that.

"I always stick up for the Scottish game and I know the quality is not the best at times but I don't think James Sands covered himself in glory.

"I don't think he was a main player for Rangers when he came over. He did well when he came over, a midfielder having to play centre-back at times, and did a job.

"But I don't like seeing that when players leave, it's a bit of bad blood for me and you should just say things happen in football.

"When I see players who leave clubs and have a wee pop at them, I don't really like it."