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.

Whatever about criticism of the team’s style of play, it caps a fine year of results under the 72-year-old Italian.

Ireland played a record 14 games in all, winning nine, drawing four and losing just one, a friendly with Uruguay. Naturally enough, it’s competitive games that count more and Ireland were unbeaten in those during the year, winning five and drawing the other three of the eight games played. Reigning World and European champions Spain remain top of the ranking list while there is also no change in second and third place, occupied by the Netherlands and Germany, though the Germans have closed the gap on the Dutch following their 3-0 win over them in a friendly this month.

Having extended their unbeaten run to 13 games, Uruguay remain fourth while recent wins over Spain and Sweden have seen Fabio Capello’s England leapfrog Brazil and Italy into fifth.

Like Ireland, Croatia’s play-off win over Turkey lifts them four places to eighth behind Portugal. Despite winning four of their last five games, Wales drop fives places to 50th, one place behind Scotland, who are up two.

Managerless Northern Ireland’s recent poor run sees them down fives places to 89th in the rankings.

Meanwhile, Pat Fenlon has edged a step closer to landing the vacant managerial post at SPL side Hibernian.

Though 42-year-old Fenlon has a year to run on his contract at Bohemians, the club say they won’t be seeking compensation should Hibs decide to offer him the post.

“Bohemian FC confirms that Hibernian FC sought and was given permission to speak to Pat Fenlon about the managerial vacancy at Hibernians,” Bohemians said in a statement.