Football news in brief: Rankings boost for Burley's idle Scots

Published on Wednesday 11 March 2009 22:30

SCOTLAND have moved up four spots to 28th in the latest Fifa world rankings. George Burley's men are just two places behind the Republic of Ireland, who moved up three spots to 26th following a 2-1 World Cup Qualifying win over Georgia.

England slipped a place to ninth following their 2-0 friendly defeat in Spain last month, while Northern Ireland are one of the bigger movers in the table after leaping seven places to joint 42nd with Iran. Wales drop three positions to 68th after being overtaken by Algeria, Venezuela and Bahrain.

Spain are still top, leading Germany by 300 points. The Netherlands, Scotland's World Cup qualifying opponents later this month, remain third.

Wantaway Cardle leaves Airdrie

AIRDRIE United winger Joe Cardle has left the club by mutual consent. The 22-year-old former Port Vale and Clyde player signed a pre-contract agreement with First Division rivals Dunfermline last month, and on Saturday against Livingston Cardle was sent off for violent conduct after running 20 yards to barge into his own captain, Mark Smyth.

"Joe has made some strange choices recently and that is all I want to say about things," said Airdrie manager Kenny Black.

McBride back after two-month layoff

FALKIRK midfielder Kevin McBride is set to hand manager John Hughes a timely boost by returning for their forthcoming SPL basement clash with Inverness Caledonian Thistle after nearly two months out.

The 27-year-old has not played since the Bairns were beaten 3-0 by Rangers in the Co-operative Insurance Cup semi-final at Hampden on 27 January due to a minor back fracture of the vertebra, but he was back in action on Tuesday when he played 80 minutes in the reserves' 4-0 loss to Celtic.

Battered Bayne a doubt for Pars

DUNFERMLINE striker Graham Bayne is a major doubt for next Wednesday's Scottish Cup replay at Aberdeen after requiring stitches to his head and tongue in Saturday's draw.

The marksman had to be substituted at East End Park and was not in the squad for Tuesday's 4-2 First Division defeat at Livingston.