UK Football

By Kenny MacDonald

GLASGOW, March 26 (Reuters) - Euro 2008 finalists Croatia were held to a 1-1 draw by Scotland in their friendly international at Hampden Park on Wednesday.

Croatia took the lead after nine minutes when midfielder Niko Kranjcar hit a wonderful 20-metre shot on the turn that swerved away from keeper Craig Gordon to fly high into the middle of the net.

Scotland, playing their first game under manager George Burley, fought back and levelled on the half hour when Kenny Miller fastened onto a long ball down the left from Steven Fletcher.

The striker raced into the box and from a tight angle he fired a shot from eight metres that deflected off defender Josip Simunic and caught out keeper Stipe Pletikosa at his near post.

The second half was a stale affair punctuated by a succession of substitutions from both sides.

Scotland keeper Gordon pulled off a fine near post save from Igor Budan who charged down the left before blasting in a 10-metre shot.

Scotland also came close when Kris Boyd ran onto a pass from Alan Hutton on the right to crack in a knee-high shot that Pletikosa did well to parry around his far post.