The award was set up five years ago in memory of journalist Jim Rodger and is open to sports journalists aged under 35 working in the Scottish regional press.

Martin, hailed "an outstanding sports journalist" by the judges, wins a trophy and a cheque for £1,000.

The judges said: "Martin's articles on the lead-up to the European Championship match with Italy - and the aftermath of Scotland's failure to qualify - illustrated his ability to portray the sense of occasion in a beautifully-descriptive way. From an uneventful training session at Hampden the night before, he gave us an insight to the Italians' mood and expectations.

"While his observations of the Tartan Army's reaction to defeat captured the essence of supporting Scotland through the highs and lows in a mercifully, cliche-free style of writing which is refreshing and, above all, entertaining to read."

The judging panel this year, the 11th year of the competition, comprised Morag Gray, director of the British Horseracing Authority, Geoff Webster of BBC Scotland Sport and former Daily Record chief reporter Gordon Airs.

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