The Scots drew with Croatia at Hampden in 2001

It is expected to be the new Scotland manager's first game in charge, with the SFA aiming to appoint Alex McLeish's successor by next month.

Slaven Bilic's side will use the game as part of their build-up to the Euro 2008 finals.

SFA chief executive Gordon Smith said: "Playing against better teams shows us the standard we have to reach."

Scotland have played Croatia twice before - drawing both games during the 2002 World Cup qualifying campaign.

Croatia are ranked 10th in the world rankings and ended England's hopes of progressing to the Euro 2008 finals with a 3-2 victory at Wembley.

This will be the new manager's first game in charge SFA chief executive Gordon Smith

Smith said Croatia have an exciting squad and play a great brand of football.

"If we want to keep on improving then these are exactly the types of teams we should be playing," he added.

"Our football is on the up and we are only a few places below Croatia in the rankings.

"We have a great squad of players who are improving all the time and we will soon have a new manager in place who we all hope will lead us to the World Cup and beyond."

Smith said the Scots were keen to emulate Croatia by regularly qualifying for the finals of major tournaments.

"This will be the new manager's first game in charge," he added.

"I know that our supporters will turn out in big numbers to support him and the team as we enter a bright new era for Scottish football."

Graeme Souness, Tommy Burns, Mark McGhee and George Burley are in the running to become the new Scotland manager.

Billy Davies was on an original five-man list of targets but he has since ruled himself out.

BBC Scotland understands the SFA has spoken to Burns regarding the vacancy.

Burns had initially indicated he was unwilling to be interviewed for the post but it is believed he is still in the frame.

Smith said the new man would be appointed by the end of January.