Injuries rule Scotland trio out of trip to Croatia

Scotland manager Gordon Strachan was handed a triple blow ahead of Friday’s World Cup qualifier against Croatia in Zagreb.

Celtic pair Scott Brown and James Forrest, along with Brighton midfielder Liam Bridcutt, have withdrawn from the squad through injury.

Wolves striker Leigh Griffiths, however, has been passed fit to travel.

Gordon Strachan said it was “a huge disappointment” to be without captain Brown, who missed three months of the season with a recurring hip problem.

He then picked up a knock in Celtic’s Scottish Cup final win over Hibs. Strachan has already rafted in Motherwell defender Stevie Hammell and Aston Villa midfielder Barry Bannan.