Burley salutes Old Firm managers

Burley (right) said the SPL had two world-class managers

Scotland manager George Burley says Gordon Strachan and Walter Smith are just two of the candidates vying to be named PFA manager of the season.

Burley said the Old Firm were fortunate to have two "world-class" managers at the helm of the SPL clubs.

Celtic manager Strachan won the award last year, but Smith has Rangers challenging on four fronts this season.

Motherwell boss Mark McGhee, Dundee United's Craig Levein and East Fife's Dave Baikie are also in the running.

Hamilton manager Billy Reid has steered the club to the top of the First Division and they are four points clear of promotion rivals Dundee.

Under Billy Reid, Hamilton are attempting to gain promotion to the SPL for the first time since the 1988/89 season.

Walter Smith and Gordon Strachan are vying for the title

Scotland's manager of the year will be chosen on 20 April, and Burley said he had been impressed by how the Old Firm managers had performed.

"Walter Smith has been a top-class manager for years and has great experience but I'm sure he is not looking at the past," said Burley.

"Don't forget what Gordon Strachan has done in the last few years. His record has been absolutely incredible.

"Scotland is very fortunate to have world-class managers in the SPL."

Smith has already watched his Rangers side win the CIS Cup this season, with the club sitting top of the SPL and still challenging for the Scottish Cup and Uefa Cup.

Strachan steered Celtic to the last 16 of the Champions League for the second successive season before they were eliminated by Barcelona.

Motherwell manager McGhee has transformed the Fir Park outfit from a team flirting with relegation last season into contenders for a European place.

Craig Levein guided Dundee Utd to the CIS Cup final before losing to Rangers on penalties.

East Fife became the first British side to win a league title this term when they clinched the Scottish Third Division crown on 15 March.

Dave Baikie's outfit are 23 points clear of second-placed Stranraer.