Soccer: McCarthy backs Scots to defeat Croatia

Mick McCarthy is still tipping Scotland to beat Croatia in their crucial World Cup qualifier at Hampden Park on September 1.

Croatia were trailing to Irish goals by Damien Duff and debut-making substitute Clinton Morrison after 78 minutes but then Davor Vugrinec headed a reply before Davor Suker potted a stoppage time penalty to earn a 2-2 draw.

McCarthy said: "Croatia are very talented, very competitive and they have technical differences we are not used to dealing with, but I still fancy Scotland to beat them. I believe they can get the job done and win it like we should have done."

Scotland manager Craig Brown was among the 27,000 crowd at Lansdowne Road and saw Croatia coach Mirko Jozic make eight substitutions in the second half - including the arrivals of goal scorers Vugrinec and Suker, the latter notching his 44th goal in 63 internationals