Alex Neil is destined for the very top, believes Norwich City keeper John Ruddy.

Neil has already made his mark in guiding the club to a Championship play-off spot in their bid to return to the Premier League, and Ruddy is in no doubt the Scot is cut out for the top flight.

'The manager has been fantastic with all of us. He is a motivator, he is a talker and he can be blunt as well when he needs to be,' said Ruddy.

'He doesn't pull any punches if he thinks someone needs to be told and likewise if we have done well but not quite got the breaks then he will tell us that as well. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with him and for him. His attention to detail is second to none, in my opinion, probably the best I have seen and to say that for someone who is only 33 bodes well for him. He is a very driven individual and he knows what he wants and that has filtered through to the squad.

'I wouldn't be surprised if he managed in the Premier League for years to come because he leaves no stone unturned.'

The City boss missed out on the latest Championship manager of the month award to Watford's Slavisa Jokanovic after being shortlisted for the third consecutive month and the ex-Hamilton manager's instant impact has not gone unnoticed in his homeland.

National boss Gordon Strachan claimed Neil deserved to be in the running for the PFA Scottish manager of the year after unveiling the nominees, which included Celtic's Ronny Deila, Aberdeen's Derek McInnes, Inverness' John Hughes and Hearts' Robbie Neilson.

'Alex has been tremendous, absolutely tremendous, and should be pleased with himself,' said Strachan. 'He has to be really pleased with what he has done and he seems to be at clubs where you get good support. That's what you need. You don't need the support when you are doing well. The best test of a chairman is when you are not doing so well. Trophies can't be the only thing. It's about the expectations of the club that you go to and whether you can fulfil them. It's good if you can.'