SCOTLAND could leapfrog England in the Fifa rankings and replace them as first seeds for the 2010 World Cup qualifiers if they beat Italy and qualify for Euro 2008.

The national team has rocketed up the standings thanks to the work of Alex McLeish and Walter Smith since the departure of Berti Vogts two years ago.

And, thanks to wins over the likes of France and Ukraine in the campaign to reach Austria and Switzerland, we are ranked as the 11th best European team.

Now if we can overcome world champions Italy at Hampden on Saturday and England lose to Croatia next week then we will jump above them.

That would also see us go into the top group of seeds - instead of Steve McClaren's flops - in next month's qualifying draw for the World Cup in South Africa.

Scotland will reach 1,149 points if they win the showdown with Roberto Donadoni's side on Saturday.

And if ninth-placed England, who currently have 1,137 points, even draw with Croatia, who are ranked above them in eighth spot, we will move ahead of the Auld Enemy.

Romania could still throw a spanner in the works. They are in 10th place on 1,086 points and still have qualifying games against Albania and Bulgaria to play.

However, they have already qualified for Euro 2008 and are expected to field experimental sides in both of those matches.

Fifa and Uefa rankings expert Donald MacLeod commented: "There are two good reasons for Scotland to win the match.

"First, obviously, we will qualify for next summer's finals. But, secondly, because England are playing Croatia then we could jump above one of them.

"Qualifying for the World Cup is going to be difficult because group runners-up will be involved in complex play-offs so being in top spot could be crucial."

Meanwhile, English FA officials were today reported to be ready to approach Scotland about re-instating the famous annual fixture between the two nations.

The governing body is believed to be concerned about the loss of income they will suffer if, as looks highly likely, their side fail to make it to Euro 2008 next summer.

They fear there will be a widespread antipathy towards England if they don't make it and they will struggle to fill the new £757million Wembley Stadium.

And they feel the widespread euphoria that is currently surrounding the Scottish national team would help them to sell-out the ground.

High-level discussions are believed to have taken place within Soho square are bringing back the Home Internationals.

SFA chief Gordon Smith, though, is keen on a Celtic Cup involving Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland. Pearo can be hero - Davies

DERBY manager Billy Davies has backed Stephen Pearson to be Scotland's unlikely hero this weekend.

He said: "Pearo has great athleticism and changed the game in France.

"He has been excellent for us so far this season and I've lost count of the number of opposition managers who have identified his strengths.

"Big Premier League clubs all recognise Stephen as the main threat in our side.

"He could cause Italy all sorts of problems with his runs from midfield." Hargreaves KO for McClaren

MANCHESTER UNITED'S Owen Hargreaves is out of England's friendly with Austria in Vienna on Friday. Hargreaves returned to action last weekend against Blackburn after a long-standing tendinitis problem which he sustained while at Bayern Munich.

England coach Steve McClaren has discussed the matter with his old boss, United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, and it has been decided Hargreaves should remain in Manchester for treatment.

McClaren, though, hopes Hargreaves will be available for the potentially crucial Euro 2008 qualifier against Croatia at Wembley on November 21.