Scotland are nearly there...........

[-V-]

Scots close in on England ranking (1 more year )


Scotland are on the verge of overtaking England after rising to their highest position in the Fifa world rankings.

Despite their 2-0 loss in Georgia, the Scots have moved from 14th to 13th - two places behind England, who fell to 11th from ninth after losing to Russia.

The top nine teams will be seeded for the 2010 World Cup qualifying rounds.

Argentina head the rankings, Brazil are second, Italy third, the managerless Republic of Ireland are 32nd, Northern Ireland 36th and Wales 58th.

If Scotland maintain their current position, they will qualify for the second group of seeds, a significant improvement from their Euro 2008 campaign, where they were among the fourth-ranked teams.

Their position could improve further if the Scots beat world champions Italy in their final Euro 2008 qualifier on 17 November, a match they must win to reach the finals next year.

England's hopes of finishing in the top nine have been severely dented following their defeat in Moscow.

The battle for qualification from Group E is now out of England's hands.

Croatia need only one point from their remaining two games to qualify. Russia will qualify if they win their remaining two games, while England, who play Croatia at Wembley in their last game, need Russia to slip up.

Meanwhile, the Republic's failure to qualify for the tournament in Austria and Switzerland led to the Football Association of Ireland terminating the contract of manager Steve Staunton by mutual consent.

[El Diego]

Bring On Italy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Dalglish]

It was only a matter of time

I already have my Italy tickets lined up

[Gordy Boy]

Presumably when Scotland get humped by Italy next month that ranking will drop again?

[Dalglish]

It will fall but probably just as much as England's when they dont qualify

[Kaip]

Just shows how bad england are

[Gordy Boy]

It will fall but probably just as much as England's when they dont qualify

I was wondering who'd be the first to come back with that.

[Dalglish]

I was wondering who'd be the first to come back with that.

[Parm]

fairplay to Scotland for pulling themselves around.

[Craig_H]

Scots close in on England ranking (1 more year )


Scotland are on the verge of overtaking England after rising to their highest position in the Fifa world rankings.

Despite their 2-0 loss in Georgia, the Scots have moved from 14th to 13th - two places behind England, who fell to 11th from ninth after losing to Russia.

The top nine teams will be seeded for the 2010 World Cup qualifying rounds.

Argentina head the rankings, Brazil are second, Italy third, the managerless Republic of Ireland are 32nd, Northern Ireland 36th and Wales 58th.

If Scotland maintain their current position, they will qualify for the second group of seeds, a significant improvement from their Euro 2008 campaign, where they were among the fourth-ranked teams.

Their position could improve further if the Scots beat world champions Italy in their final Euro 2008 qualifier on 17 November, a match they must win to reach the finals next year.

England's hopes of finishing in the top nine have been severely dented following their defeat in Moscow.

The battle for qualification from Group E is now out of England's hands.

Croatia need only one point from their remaining two games to qualify. Russia will qualify if they win their remaining two games, while England, who play Croatia at Wembley in their last game, need Russia to slip up.

Meanwhile, the Republic's failure to qualify for the tournament in Austria and Switzerland led to the Football Association of Ireland terminating the contract of manager Steve Staunton by mutual consent.

See, you jocks do yourselves little or no favours with silliness of this sort

I said the other week that i hope Scotland do well, qualifier and that hopefully a higher seeding for the WCQ campaign helps them establish a long term situation whereby they can be qualifying more regularly than not.

Then you come along and make me wonder if i DO want scotland to do well!

[cobain]

I hope the Scots go through ... It's a shame that they lost against Georgia, but I do think they can beat Italy ... After all, we've (Slovenija) beat Italy 1-0 two or three years ago and they played their strongest team.

[-V-]

See, you jocks do yourselves little or no favours with silliness of this sort

I said the other week that i hope Scotland do well, qualifier and that hopefully a higher seeding for the WCQ campaign helps them establish a long term situation whereby they can be qualifying more regularly than not.

Then you come along and make me wonder if i DO want scotland to do well!

And you think we care whether you back us or not?

[Craig_H]

And you think we care whether you back us or not?

How ironic that the arrogance that you lot often accuse the english of, should rear it's head...

[Jimthered]

ahhh I remember the last world cup Scotland played in with such fond memories, I was able to take the piss out of Scottish people for years afterwards , and let us not forget the "we're all part of Ally's army " .

The these wonderful quotes ..

Amid the euphoria, extravagant promises were made, and unhealthy expectations fostered among the fans. MacLeod was certainly not blameless in this, announcing that, even if Scotland didn't win the World Cup, they would certainly come home “with a medal” and, when asked what he would do after the World Cup, his reply was “Retain it.” Behind the scenes things were falling apart as well, as the players got involved in an unseemly row over bonus payments, although it was to transpire that they wouldn't have to worry too much about those.

To be fair to Scotland though, they did have a tough group, with footballing powerhouses such as Peru and Iran.

[Jimthered]

I said the other week that i hope Scotland do well, qualifier and that hopefully a higher seeding for the WCQ campaign helps them establish a long term situation whereby they can be qualifying more regularly than not.