The Ibrox side's 1-0 home win over defending SPL champions Celtic on Saturday took them six points clear and with a game in hand.

In his two spells as Rangers manager, Smith has lost only seven of 38 Old Firm games.

And since returning in January 2007, the former Scotland boss has won all four matches against Celtic with Strachan's side failing to even score a goal.

However, Burley, who was at Hampden to launch the Royal Mail-backed PFA Scotland manager of the year award - won last year by Strachan and to be awarded to this year's winner on April 20 - believes the title race is no foregone conclusion.

He said: "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.

"Don't forget what Gordon Strachan has done in the last few years.

"His record has been absolutely incredible.

"Rangers have had a tremendous season but with Celtic having two home games against them coming up, I don't think anyone is going to write them off and things can change very quickly.

"It's a fascinating league and it is still in the melting pot.

"It's great for it to be so close and anything can happen between now and the end of the season."

Burley insist that Smith and Strachan are just two of several top managers plying their trade in the SPL this season.

"Scotland is very fortunate to have world-class managers in the SPL," the former Hearts and Ipswich boss said.

"Being manager of a football club is a pressure job.

"If you are at the top, it's success, if you are near the bottom it's survival.

"Clubs all have expectations.

"If you are Rangers or Celtic everyone expects you to win every game.

"If you are near the bottom of the league you have to play against the top teams with the all the financial pressure to keep your team in the league.

"So as a manager there is pressure in every job but one you have to handle and try to enjoy and I think (Strachan and Smith) definitely are enjoying it."