Commons named among Europe's elite
- adamhigginsuk
- Jul 21, 2014
- 2 min read
Unforgettable: Commons enjoyed a season to remember last term after scooping a number of individual accolades for his imperious form (Picture from Zimbio.com)
KRIS Commons has been recognised for his sensational contribution in 2013-14 after being included in a poll for the top 25 players in Europe.
The 30-year-old forward has made a 35-man list for the Uefa Best Player in Europe award after scoring a remarkable 32 goals in all competitions last season.
As the Hoops romped to a third successive Scottish title, Commons was named Celtic's player of the year and was also picked up the PFA Scotland and Football Writers' awards.
Commons was higher in the voting than the likes of Franck Ribery, Thiago Silva, Robin van Persie and Germany's World Cup final hero Mario Gotze.
The nominees were decided by a panel of journalists from each of Uefa's member nations.
A second round of voting will determine three finalists with the winner set to be announced in Monaco on 28 August when the draw for the Champions League group stages is made.
Commons did not make the top 10 shortlist - which includes Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Luis Suarez - but is ranked 24th alongside Ribery of Bayern Munich, Real Madrid's Karim Benzema and Barcelona utility player Javier Mascherano.
The former Derby playmaker - who scored in Saturday's 1-1 friendly draw with Dynamo Dresden - had a prominent role as the Hoops reached the Champions League group stages for the second season running, scoring against Elfsborg and Shakhter Karagandy.
And Commons will hope to get off the mark in the new campaign when the Scottish champions face KR Reykjavik in the return leg of their second qualifying round tie at Murrayfield on Tuesday.
Ronny Deila's side already hold a slender 1-0 advantage from last week's first leg in Iceland.
THE TOP TEN SHORTLIST:
Diego Costa (Atletico Madrid, now at Chelsea)
Angel Di Maria (Real Madrid)
James Rodriguez (AS Monaco)
Phillip Lahm (Bayern Munich)
Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
Thomas Mueller (Bayern Munich)
Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich)
Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich)
Luis Suarez (Liverpool, now at Barcelona)
Last updated: 21 July 2014 09:55am
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