SCOTLAND have risen 14 places in the latest FIFA ranking despite missing out on a Russia 2018 play-off.
Gordon Strachan led his team to victory over Slovakia at Hampden Park before drawing away to Slovenia, but they were pipped to second place on goal difference by the Slovaks.
The Scottish FA parted ways with Strachan at the end of the campaign, but the final two results were enough to catapult the Tartan Army to 29th place.
Read more: Sam Allardyce ‘tempted’ but rules himself out of running for Scotland job
Elsewhere in the standings, England have moved up three places to 12th, Wales have dropped one to 14th and Northern Ireland have moved down by three spots to number 23.
Scotland's highest ranking came in 2007 when they reached 14th place.
FIFA rankings - top 30
1 Germany
2 Brazil
3 Portugal
4 Argentina
5 Belgium
6 Poland
7 France
8 Spain
9 Chile
10 Peru
11 Switzerland
12 England
13 Colombia
14 Wales
15 Italy
16 Mexico
17 Uruguay
18 Croatia
19 Denmark
20 Netherlands
21 Iceland
22 Costa Rica
23 Northern Ireland
24 Slovakia
25 Sweden
26 Republic of Ireland
27 USA
28 Tunisia
29 Scotland
30 Egypt
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