Scotland ended a disappointing World Cup qualifying campaign on a positive note with a 2-0 victory against Croatia at Hampden Park last night.
The Scots had not won a competitive match at Hampden for more than two years but Robert Snodgrass, who scored the winner when the sides met in Zagreb in June, headed them in front after 28 minutes.
The Croats, ranked 10th in the world, struggled to penetrate a well-organised Scottish defence and conceded a second after 73 minutes when Steven Naismith reacted quickest after a Barry Bannan penalty had been parried by Stipe Pletikosa. Scotland’s World Cup qualifying campaign has at times been a humbling and humiliating experience but the improved performances since Gordon Strachan replaced Craig Levein has given the Tartan Army some cautious optimism to take into the Euro 2016 campaign.
Strachan made three changes to the team that enjoyed a morale-boosting 2-1 win in Macedonia last month, with Allan McGregor, James Morrison and Snodgrass returning in place of goalkeeper David Marshall, the injured Shaun Maloney and the suspended Steven Whittaker.
Croatia coach Igor Stimac had described the match as a “training session” for his side but fielded a strong starting line-up, which included Luka Modric, Mario Mandzukic and Niko Kranjcar.
Hampden was far from full but the visiting supporters made plenty of noise in the hope of spurring their team on to a place in the play-offs. However, the Croatian faithful were silenced after 28 minutes when Charlie Mulgrew’s back-post cross was powerfully headed home by Snodgrass.
The Norwich City player almost netted a second three minutes later but his well-struck left-foot drive was superbly tipped onto the post by Croatian goalkeeper Pletikosa.
The Croats were impressive in possession but rarely troubled McGregor during the opening period, although Mandzukic, who had earlier been thwarted by a last-ditch Ikechi Anya tackle, did volley over just before the interval. Scotland had a chance to double their advantage in the 73rd minute when Anya was brought down by Domagoj Vida in the penalty area. Bannan’s spot kick was well saved by Pletikosa but Naismith smashed home the rebound.