Kenny Burns has astonishingly claimed that Derby are a bigger club than Nottingham Forest.
The 63-year-old is classed as a legend at the City Ground but his latest comments will no doubt anger the Forest supporters, who hold a bitter rivalry with their East Midlands compatriots.
Burns was a part of the legendary double European Cup winning squad of 1979 and 1980 under the leadership of Brian Clough, who also managed Derby in the early days of his career.
The Rams have never come near to such continental success but Burns still thinks that they are above Forest in terms of stature.
“I know both clubs well and it might shock people to read that I would say right now, as we talk today, Derby are the bigger club,” said the former Scotland international on the Nottingham Post website.
“They’ve got the new stadium and they’ve got bigger crowds. They’ve moved on a little whereas Forest haven’t.
“Forest have the history behind them. Historically they are the bigger club, but we all want success today.”
Derby have won one more league title in their history than Nottingham Forest, but have earned less FA and League Cups – as well as no European trophies.
Burns played for a large amount of clubs during his successful career and even spent one season on the books at Derby, but he never came anywhere near to what he achieved at the City Ground.
The former striker-turned-defender also won a First Division league title and two League Cups with the Reds.
His long career saw him turn out for Birmingham, Leeds and Notts County before he eventually retired in 1993 after a spell at non-league outfit Oakham United.