I could not agree with you more (as usual).
He just doesn't seem able to do right for doing wrong, in some people's eyes.
Personally I value effort above almost anything else, when it comes to judging a footballer. I think he always tries hard. And I think the team has much more ooomph when he's in it.
I've never found him big-headed either. He's regularly taken time to speak to me and my son when he didn't have to; he regularly signs autographs for kids before home-games etc when many/most of the others don't; he was the only one who actually kicked the ball about with that wee mascot we had a couple of months ago, who looked about 2 yrs old! Also, I have a friend who's a teacher and she said he was excellent with the children during a visit to her school last year. I think he takes the off-field aspects of being a professional footballer seriously and I think he's very good at it. Well Done, Dougie!