Ireland up to 21st in latest FIFA rankings

AS negotiations with the FAI on a new contract which is expected to be finalised ahead of the Euro 2012 finals draw in Kiev tomorrow week get underway, Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni’s bargaining hand will have suffered no harm yesterday with the release of FIFA’s latest world rankings.

The play-off win over Estonia earlier this month has resulted in Ireland rising up four places to 21st in the world governing body’s performance table.

That’s up from 41st when Trapattoni took charge in May 2008 and is Ireland’s highest ranking in six years.