The Caribbean midfield king did better this year than even Henrik Larsson last year - when the Swede failed to convince any of the world's 150 top national coaches to vote for him, despite enjoying a brilliant ten months prior to his leg break.

This year, the Easter Road hero polled just a single third-choice vote, from the 22,000-population Caribbean Turks and Caicos Islands delegate, Charlie Cook. As he did last year, Scotland manager Craig Brown opted first for Luis Figo, with Zidane and Gabriel Batistuta completing his ballot.

But Cockney Cook - who insists he has no Scots blood whatsoever - explained: 'We don't see much European club football, but I have seen Russell play lots of World Cup qualifying games and he works off Dwight Yorke extremely well.

'Dwight has the higher profile because he is with Manchester United, but I just felt Russell doesn't get the accolades he should.

'There are lots more players like Russell and Dwight emerging from the Caribbean nations - although don't expect too many from here just yet. There is a massive gap even between the standard of football here and in St Kitts, let alone Trinidad and Tobago,' the former Major League Soccer coach added.

Latapy - capped over 100 times for Trinidad and Tobago and a Portuguese title winner with Porto - was named in equal 33rd place in a list of 41 players who made the count released by FIFA. Yesterday, he described his ranking as his highest ever honour in football.

'This is a huge honour for me and I am really flattered by it as there were so many great players in the list. It is flattering to see my name alongside Keane and Bergkamp,' said the 32-year-old.

'There is no doubt that this is my highest honour, in personal terms. It is great to be considered by someone across the world, although I have been taking a bit of stick from my Hibs team mates. They have been telling me that I have obviously been taking a lot of people out for lunches and buying my way on to the list.

'Seriously, as far as the national team is concerned, it is good for such a small nation like Trinidad to be represented in such a poll. And for Hibs, it is merely the type of recognition that the club deserves.'

Hibs assistant manager Andy Watson acknowledged: 'This is great recognition for Russell. We saw just how popular he is over there when we went to Trinidad last Christmas and the cameras were all there to greet us.

'However, there is no doubt we all appreciate him over here as well. He has genuine quality on the ball and is magnificent for us in the killer areas in the last 30 yards of the pitch - as he again showed on Saturday against Dunfermline.'

If that last comment doesn't leave 'em roaring in the aisles, how about this: Norway manager Nils Johan Semb even included goalkeeper Bente Nordby ahead of Rangers' £12million strike star, Tore Andre Flo.