Lawrie Sanchez says he is determined to see his Northern Ireland team overtake the Republic in the world rankings.
Northern Ireland have lived in the shadows since the 1986 World Cup but now lie just 15 places behind the Republic who are 43rd in the Fifa list.
"It is ironic that when I took over, Scotland and ourselves were in the doldrums," said Sanchez.
"Wales and the Republic were in the ascendancy. It has gone the other way, but that is football."
The Republic suffered a humiliating 5-2 defeat away to Cyprus last Saturday while Northern Ireland managed a fine draw away to Denmark in another Euro 2008 qualifier.
On Wednesday Steve Staunton's side face the Czech Republic while Sanchez's team take on Latvia.
Having overtaken Wales - who suffered a massive home loss to Slovakia - in the world rankings Sanchez wants to push on.
"I remember speaking to (former Republic manager) Brian Kerr at a conference. They were 15th and we were 124th," added Sanchez.
"In the course of my time in charge I would like to think we could go above the Republic in the rankings.
"That would be an amazing achievement but it will be difficult because the Republic will come strong again.
"They have a lot more players to choose from than us and I am sure Wales will bounce back as well.
"But I do feel for Steve Staunton and John Toshack at this moment."
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No particular wish to overtake the republic, but am amazed at how high we're going. Good news for the pots next time around though!
Big game tonight. Hoping for all three points.
Northern Ireland have lived in the shadows since the 1986 World Cup but now lie just 15 places behind the Republic who are 43rd in the Fifa list.
"It is ironic that when I took over, Scotland and ourselves were in the doldrums," said Sanchez.
"Wales and the Republic were in the ascendancy. It has gone the other way, but that is football."
The Republic suffered a humiliating 5-2 defeat away to Cyprus last Saturday while Northern Ireland managed a fine draw away to Denmark in another Euro 2008 qualifier.
On Wednesday Steve Staunton's side face the Czech Republic while Sanchez's team take on Latvia.
Having overtaken Wales - who suffered a massive home loss to Slovakia - in the world rankings Sanchez wants to push on.
"I remember speaking to (former Republic manager) Brian Kerr at a conference. They were 15th and we were 124th," added Sanchez.
"In the course of my time in charge I would like to think we could go above the Republic in the rankings.
"That would be an amazing achievement but it will be difficult because the Republic will come strong again.
"They have a lot more players to choose from than us and I am sure Wales will bounce back as well.
"But I do feel for Steve Staunton and John Toshack at this moment."
__________
No particular wish to overtake the republic, but am amazed at how high we're going. Good news for the pots next time around though!
Big game tonight. Hoping for all three points.
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