Rangers captain Barry Ferguson claims Walter Smith should have beaten Gordon Strachan to the Scottish Professional Footballers' Association's Manager of the Year award.
Strachan was recognised by the SPFA members at a dinner in Glasgow on Sunday evening, having led Celtic to the Bank of Scotland Premier League title and into the Tennent's Scottish Cup final.
But Ferguson believes Smith's achievements with Scotland and Rangers marked him out as the outstanding candidate.
'As far as I'm concerned, Walter is the manager of the year. People might say I'm biased but I think the facts speak for themselves,' said Ferguson.
'You just have to look at the job he did with Scotland in the first half of the season - including that fantastic win over France.'
'And then you just have to look at what he has done here by coming in, steadying the ship and vastly improving our fortunes.'
Ferguson's view is controversial, given that Smith quit his job with the Scotland team in January to return for a second spell as manager of Rangers.
However Rangers' fortunes have certainly improved since Smith returned, and they are finishing the season strongly.
Smith could yet be named the Scottish Football Writers' Association's manager of the year, with that award to be handed out on May 13.
'Domestically we have had great results and we were very close to getting past Osasuna (in the UEFA Cup),' Ferguson told Rangers News.
'So in my eyes he should be the man that is named manager of the year.
'I am excited about the future under Walter Smith. He will no doubt go out and sign some players in the summer and new faces coupled with the talent we have here is good news for Rangers.'
