In the spirited cauldron of Scottish top-flight football, creating chances is every bit as heroic as finishing them. In this article, ZaneyStrike will accompany you through the league’s creative engines — the maestros crafting assists — and reveal who lifted the baton in the SPL most assists 2024/25 leaderboard. From the dead-ball wizards to the wide playmakers, we’ll analyze the numbers, the stories, and the implications for next season.
The Assist Kings: Top Creators of 2024/25
In the 2024/25 Scottish Premiership campaign, certain players consistently unlocked defenses with vision, timing, and technique. Below is a breakdown of the highest assist tallies in that season (league play only unless noted):
| Rank | Player | Club | Assists |
| 1 | Alistair Johnston | Celtic | 11 |
| 2 = | Daizen Maeda | Celtic | 10 |
| 2 = | Nicolas Raskin | Rangers | 10 |
| 4 | Nicolas Kühn | Celtic | 9 |
| 5 = | Daniel Armstrong | Kilmarnock | 8 |
| 5 = | Luke McCowan | Celtic | 8 Football Records]) |
| 5 = | Lennon Miller | Motherwell | 8 |
| 5 = | Lawrence Shankland | Hearts | 8 |
| 5 = | James Tavernier | Rangers | 8 |
At the summit, Alistair Johnston emerged as the assist leader with 11, edging ahead of a packed chasing pack. That said, it’s important to spotlight how tight the race was — several creatives hovered within just three assists of the top spot.
Deep Dive: Who Made the Difference
Alistair Johnston — Steady and deadly on the right
The Canadian right-back may be more known for crossing than goal scoring, but in 2024/25 he delivered the most assists in the league. His overlapping runs, precise deliveries, and reading of defensive lines made him Celtic’s secret weapon. That he leads the assist charts is a testament to Celtic’s dominance and the trust placed in full-backs to push high.
Daizen Maeda — More than just a finisher
Maeda is often lauded for his goals — and for good reason — but his supporting role in attack in 2024/25 was equally vital. With 10 assists, he proved that he’s not just a poacher in the box, but also a creator. His ability to link up, carry the ball into dangerous zones, and provide the final pass underscores his all-round attacking instincts.
Nicolas Raskin — The midfield engine at Rangers
Raskin’s 10 assists stem, his pass-forward mentality, vision, and composure under pressure allowed Rangers to transition quickly and threaten Celtic’s dominance.
Other Notable Playmakers
- Nicolas Kühn offered creativity on the flanks and in central moments.
- Daniel Armstrong, Luke McCowan, Lennon Miller, Lawrence Shankland, and James Tavernier all delivered 8 assists each — showing how interwoven the assist race was beyond the top two.
It’s also interesting to see forwards like Shankland appearing in the top assist ranks, reflecting his dual threat role for Hearts, and Rangers’ skipper Tavernier continuing to deliver from the right-back berth.
Context & Trends: What These Figures Reveal
1. The dominance of Celtic
Three of the top four assist providers played for Celtic (Johnston, Maeda, Kühn). Their ball dominance, attacking scheme, and possession control created fertile ground for creators to shine.
2. Full-backs as creators
Traditionally, wing play and attacking midfielders dominate assist charts. But in 2024/25, full-backs like Johnston and Tavernier played decisive roles as advanced support units — overlapping, crossing, and punishing collapsed defenses.
3. Forwards acting as playmakers
Seeing Lawrence Shankland among assist leaders demonstrates how modern strikers can be both target and architect. He didn’t just score; he helped others score.
4. Youth impact & breakout stars
The emergence of Lennon Miller (just 18) with 8 assists for Motherwell signals a promising future. Keeping eyes on such talents will matter for future seasons and transfers.
Breakdown by Role: Where Did the Assists Come From?
While it’s difficult to map every assist to a tactical source without full heatmap data, general observations and patterns emerge:
- Full-backs & wing-backs (Johnston, Tavernier) contributed heavily.
- Wingers and wide attackers (Maeda, Kühn, Armstrong) combined direct dribbles with cutbacks and incisive passes.
- Midfielders measured tempo and transitions, finding attackers in stride.
- Strikers assisting (Shankland) often came, hold-up play, or rotating wide positions.
Implications for 2025/26 Season
- Transfer interest rises: With assist tallies this high, names like Maeda, Raskin, and McCowan will attract suitors. Celtic will fight to retain their creative core.
- Tactical shifts expected: Clubs will aim to neutralize the dangerous combination of full-back overlap plus inside runners — meaning flanking defense and midfield compactness will become more vital.
- New challengers will emerge: As younger players improve, new assist battles may rise. The continued development of rising talents like Miller hints at fresh competition.
- Injury & rotation variables: Maintaining consistency across an entire season for assist leaders is difficult. Squads with depth stand to benefit when top creators are rested or miss games.
Spotlight: Luke McCowan’s Rise
An interesting story amid the assists chart is Luke McCowan. Having moved to Celtic, McCowan delivered 8 league assists in 2024/25 and became a reliable creative outlet, and link-up play. His performance is indicative of players who bridge midfield and attack — a hybrid role that is gaining value in modern systems.
Challenges & Critics
Some caveats are worth noting:
- Context matters: A player delivering a high number of assists is partly enabled by teammates who finish them.
- Consistency across all competitions: League assists are one thing; contributions in cups and Europe amplify a player’s all-round value.
- Underlying metrics: To fully judge a creator, those deeper stats matter — raw assist counts don’t show how many chances were created but missed.
Nevertheless, the SPL most assists 2024/25 table gives clear insight into who dominated Scotland’s most creative positions.
Conclusion
SPL most assists 2024/25 is more than a list — it’s a story of how football in Scotland is evolving. Alistair Johnston stood atop the charts with 11 assists, but Maeda, Raskin, Kühn, and a host of others made the race electric. Full-backs, wingers, midfielders, even forwards contributed in significant ways. As we move into the 2025/26 season, clubs will be watching closely, stats-hungry analysts will dig deeper, and fans will hope their favorite playmakers rise again.
If you enjoyed this breakdown and want match-by-match assist charts, creator heatmaps, or comparisons with past seasons, ZaneyStrike’s got you covered. Stay tuned and let the creativity continue.
