LEIGH Griffiths will start an international match for the first time in his career as Scotland try to rely on a counterattacking style against odds-on favourites Croatia tonight.

The 22-year-old player of the year is expected to perform up front on his own in a 4-1-4-1 formation. Griffiths' only previous cap was as a substitute in a friendly in Luxembourg in November but will get further reward for his electrifying season on loan at Hibernian by playing from kick-off in the World Cup qualifier in Zagreb.

The Wolverhampton Wanderers forward is expected to start ahead of a midfield of captain James Morrison, Shaun Maloney, Barry Bannan and Robert Snodgrass, with James McArthur sitting in front of the back four. Russell Martin and Andy Webster are likely to be the central pairing with Alan Hutton and Steven Whittaker as full-backs, and Allan McGregor in goal.

"Leigh has played well, whether it's with people playing off him or in the lone role," said Gordon Strachan, the Scotland manager, in the Croatian capital. "I just think we've got to pick a team bearing in mind what we're best at, at the moment. It might be different in the future. But I'm looking at what we've got here thinking about the best we can do. Leigh Griffiths has been so easy to manage it's incredible. He keeps himself to himself but when you speak to him he's always attentive, which is good. I've enjoyed his company."

Croatia are as short as 4/11 with some bookmakers to beat Scotland, who are priced at up to 11/1. Igor Stimac's side are joint Group A leaders on 16 points. Scotland, on two, have gone seven competitive games without a win. According to Strachan, taking on the team ranked No.4 in the world will reveal much about the mental strength of his makeshift squad. "All the lads are different. But it's when you get on to the pitch, that's when your true character comes out. Whatever you do off the field doesn't matter.

"I've liked what I've seen with all the lads. The youngsters just need to come out of their shells a little bit. It's happened a little in the last five or six days. I think if you look back at any footballer's career you ask 'how did they behave under pressure?' 'How did they behave when they really needed to perform?' So it's one of those games. They need to learn about their own characters. They have to be brave. There are times when you have to be. Your career can change on small games. But there are big games as well and this might be one of them for somebody."