Two black former Scottish top-flight footballers claim the colour of theirskin is holding them back from making the transition to management.
Russell Latapy and Kevin Harper, who both played for Hibernian, say the lack of diversity in Scottish dugouts proves their point.
Both say they have applied for numerous coaching jobs without success.
Scotland's football governing bodies and the managers' union all say they work to promote diversity.
Former England and Liverpool winger John Barnes remains the only black man to have managed in Scotland, having been in charge of Celtic for a short spell in the late 1990s.
Latapy, who was born in Trinidad and managed his national side, has been a coach at Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Falkirk but says the path to management in the country is proving trickier.
John Barnes had an unsuccessful spell as manager of Celtic
"For whatever reason, young black managers are not being afforded the same opportunities as young white managers," said the 47-year-old.
"As players, we play alongside each other and all we're asking for is the same opportunity.
"Since John Barnes, there hasn't been another black manager, but I have to say this: I don't want a job because of the colour of my skin. I want a job based on what the chairman thinks I can bring to that football club."
Harper, who is currently doing his A Licence coaching training, says he feels the same way.
"I've applied for at least 10 jobs in Scotland and I've had two responses," revealed the 40-year-old.
"I'm new into it but to only get two responses and not even get an interview, I think there's a real issue."
The latest Scottish government statistics show that around 4% of the population is described as non-white. Of the 10,000 registered Scottish FA coaches, just under 6% fall into that category.
Former Scotland Under-21 forward Harper, though, believes the issue is at a higher level.
