It’s that time of the year where we look back over the last 12 months, catch our breath and look back on what has been another drama-filled period for Scottish football.

Our game may be many things but it’s never dull, as 2016 goes to show. We’ve had hoodoos being broken, extraordinary European nights, a brief foray into summer football and the emergence of young talent to give some hope to our ailing national team.

Here, I pick through my top five year highlights, and look forward to what 2017 may bring us.

Read more: January deals could make or break Rangers' bid for second spot in the Premiership

SATURDAY APRIL 17: Scottish Cup semi-final between Rangers and Celtic.

The Celtic v Rangers semi-final was keenly anticipated and I think most people thought Celtic would win at a canter.

The fact they didn’t is a tribute to Rangers, it was their performance of the year for me.

It was a game that swung from one team to another, only for Rangers to twice take the lead, be pegged back, then to have to go to penalties to win 5-4 after extra-time finished in a 2-2 stalemate.

Mark Warburton’s men have had some good results recently, namely against Aberdeen and Hearts, but that’s the one that stands out. They went toe-to-toe with Celtic and it was impressive.

The problem for the Ibrox club is Celtic have kicked on financially since then. It’s been their catalyst.

However, I’m sure Warburton and the Rangers supporters will still look back fondly on that afternoon at the National Stadium.

SATURDAY MAY 21: Hibs end 114-year wait to lift Scottish Cup

It would be impossible to take about the great stories of 2016 and not mention Hibs.

I’ve gone to Easter Road for a number of years and thought the fans always seemed to be a little bit negative. Maybe you can understand why!

They’ve been reminded about not having won the cup since 1902 over the last couple of decades, maybe good things do come to those who wait.

To finally break that jinx and do it in the manner they did with the late goal from David Gray to beat Rangers 3-2 is something that captured the imagination of every Scottish football fan.

Read more: January deals could make or break Rangers' bid for second spot in the Premiership

It’s a shame we ended up not talking about the game or the achievement a lot in the aftermath as trouble spilled from the stands on to the park, but Hibs deserve the credit and the spot light for a well-earned Scottish Cup win.

FRIDAY JULY 15: Summer lovin’ in Arbroath

One little moment that jumps out is walking down a makeshift television gantry at Gayfield at 10pm looking at the North Sea on a perfect summer evening, reflecting on the first game of the revamped Betfred Cup, a tournament I covered exclusively with BT Sport. The fact the game between Arbroath and Dundee United went to penalties gave a hint at the excitement the competition would bring.

That was the beginning of the new format which some were sceptical about but most wanted to give it a chance. I think we ended up having a greatly revitalised tournament – and a braw night in Arbroath.

I’m a big fan of summer football, but not just that, I think the new-look competition was a big hit. We got the final – maybe not in terms of the game itself given only one team really turned up – but in terms of two best teams in Scotland in Celtic and Aberdeen.

I still look back fondly at that night in Arbroath as I came down the ladder looking at the beach. Here’s to doing it again next year.

TUESDAY AUGUST 23: Celtic make it to Champions League

Being in Be’er Sheva in Israel on a night of extreme tension commentating on Celtic’s second leg Champions League play-off round knowing 2-0 knowing how it would shape the entire season was an emotional experience.

Celtic were obviously missing from the Champions League for two years. It was not a great performance that delivered them back there – in fact one of their poorest - but the fact is they got through. They made it.

It didn’t matter that they only picked up three points and finished bottom. And it all goes back to that night in Israel.

Leading 5-2 from the first leg in Glasgow, Celtic were rocking just three minutes into the second half when Ovidiu Hoban cut the Glasgow side’s lead to just one goal, Brendan Rodgers’ side were then just a single strike away from failure.

I must admit I thought ‘this is going to Hapoel’. Celtic were making a lot of mistakes, it’s not an easy place to go to.

I think Celtic fans will concede it wasn’t their best performance. Brendan knew how important it was, though, and Celtic came through that big test. It was a major night in their season and in Brendan’s era already.

SUNDAY AUGUST 28: Auf Wiedersehen Olly

For my last highlight, I’m going for Oliver Burke signing for Leipzig. To me this one is an example to Scottish footballers that there’s a big world out there.

Read more: January deals could make or break Rangers' bid for second spot in the Premiership

A lot of big English-based professionals moaned that he didn’t stay in England when the Scot left Nottingham Forest. I do think Burke will be a much better educated footballer in Leipzig for what he’s done. He’s joined a team going places.

It will also be a benefit to Scottish football as a whole. For years the vast majority of our players have come from a pool in the Scottish top flight, the English Premier League or even the English Championship. Going away and immersing yourself in a different type of football culture is a huge feather in Burke’s cap, and will surely only help the Scotland national team for years to come.

We can only hope it peaks the interest of our youngsters. The Championship in England should not be the Holy Grail. It isn’t.