Scotland finish the year below Benin and Uzbekistan...

[ian1964 10,563]

...in 67th place in the world rankings.

 

 

Gordon Strachan led the national side to just one competitive victory - against minnows Malta - in the whole of 2016.

 

Scotland have finished 2016 in 67th place in the world after the final FIFA Rankings were announced.

 

The national team plummeted 15 places over the course of 12 months, leaving them behind the likes of Benin, the United Arab Emirates and Uzbekistan.

 

Gordon Strachan ’s men have won just one competitive fixture in the last 12 months - a 5-1 triumph against Malta - but did claim friendly victories against the Czech Republic and Denmark.

 

However, meek defeats against Italy and France followed and - having been envious onlookers at Euro 2016 - Scotland’s bid to qualify for the 2018 World Cup is already hanging by a thread after a draw against Lithuania and defeats in Slovakia and England.

 

It is Scotland ’s worst placing since the dark days of June 2013, when Strachan was in the early stages of rebuilding from the ill-fated reign of Craig Levein.

However, there is still some way to go before we plumb the depths of 88th spot under Walter Smith in 2005.

 

Scotland are bringing up the rear in the battle of the Home Nations by some distance, behind Wales (12), England (13) and Northern Ireland (32), while Martin O’Neill’s Republic of Ireland are 23rd.

 

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/scotland-finish-year-below-benin-9501001

[pete 2,499]

No problem Strachen is one of the bhoys.

[barca72 440]

 

A lifetime in the game and his leadership has brought us to this point !!