FOR A manager who places great store in the Fifa world rankings, Giovanni Trapattoni could be forgiven if he afforded himself a minor celebration back home in Milan yesterday morning.
While his energies may be concentrated on planning for the forthcoming Euro 2012 play-offs with Estonia, with Trapattoni due to announce his squad tomorrow week, it won’t have escaped the his attention that the Republic of Ireland have climbed to 25th in the latest Fifa standings.
That is the highest his side have been ranked at any stage since the Italian took charge of Ireland back in May 2008.
Trapattoni has consistently pointed to the rankings as evidence of Ireland’s improvement under his stewardship – Ireland were 41st when he took over – but sang from a different song sheet when the Euro 2012 draw was made last week and it was suggested that Ireland would be heavy favourites against the Estonians.
“I would not like to think that we have become big headed – a Brazil, Argentina, Spain, or Germany overnight. Have we forgotten where we are in the Fifa rankings?” he asked at the time.
At 25th, Ireland are 34 places higher than our play-off opponents who have slipped to 59th.
Spain remain in top spot with Netherlands second. Germany are third, Uruguay are below them while Brazil move up two places to fifth.
Wales are back in the top 50 for the first time in eight years, leaping 45 places to 45th. Northern Ireland are down 14 places to 84.
FIFA WORLD RANKINGS (last months positions in brackets): 1 (1) Spain; 2 (2) Netherlands; 3 (3) Germany; 4 (4) Uruguay; 5 (7) Brazil; 6 (6) Italy; 7 (8) England; 8 (11) Greece, 8 (5) Portugal; 10 (10) Argentina, 10 (17) Denmark. Other: 25 (29) Rep of Ireland, 59 (58) Estonia.
