Recognition for Scotland

Euro 2008 hopefuls rewarded for their qualifying heroics

By Phil Jackson   Last updated: 24th October 2007

Recognition for Scotland

McLeish: Masterminded rise

Rankings top ten:
1 Argentina
2 Brazil
3 Italy
4 France
5 Germany
6 Spain
7 Netherlands
8 Portugal
9 Czech Republic
10 Croatia

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Alex McLeish has helped guide Scotland to their highest ever Fifa World ranking.

The Scotland boss has built on the work started by Walter Smith in the European Championship qualification campaign, and the rankings reflect the improvements.

Ukraine were defeated 3-1 before Georgia ended their four-game winning streak in mid-October.

The Scots have been moved up to 13th in the rankings as a result, just two places behind arch-rivals England.

Incentive

Defeat for Steve McClaren's side in Russia has seen England slip from ninth to 11th meanwhile.

John Terry's team are now in very real danger of not qualifying for Euro 2008, and look set for a tough 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign if they fail to finish in the top nine and get a seeding.

World champions Italy have slipped down to third with their qualification campaign still in the balance, and Argentina and Brazil now occupy the top two spots.

France have moved up two places to fourth, while Republic of Ireland remain 32nd, Northern Ireland are 36th and Wales are in 58th.

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