FIFA Rankings: Scotland down one place ahead of Serbia test

SCOTLAND HAVE dropped one place in the latest FIFA rankings, dropping from 46th to 47th.

In the rankings, which take into account August’s internationals, Scotland’s World Cup qualifying opponents Serbia have dropped seven places, but still remain above Scotland in 42nd, whilst Macedonia have gained five places but are currently ranked 97th.

Fellow ‘home’ nation Wales have fallen eight places to 45th, two ahead of Craig Levein’s side.

Elsewhere in Scotland’s qualifying group, Croatia remain ninth and Belgium have climbed 13 places to 40th.

The Republic of Ireland remain 26th, whilst Northern Ireland have plummeted 28 places to languish in 129th.

Portugal are the only side in the top ten to have moved upwards, advancing from fifth to fourth in a straight swap with Uruguay, whilst the top three is made up of reigning world and European champions Spain, Germany and England in third. Also making the top ten are Italy, Argentina, Denmark and the Netherlands.

Switzerland have risen three places to make it into the top 20, with Slovenia moving up nine spots to 24th. Finland and Lithuania have dropped 24 and 31 places respectively, ranking at 96 and 116.