Croatia Fans Hate Me But I'd Never Quit Says Niko Kranjcar

Mar 23 2008 Scott Mcdermott

Scotland V Croatia Wednesday, Kick-Off 7.45pm Live Sky Sports 2

NIKO KRANJCAR once saw his agent shot dead and fans vilify him for the "crime" of moving from one Croatian club to another.

And just as he was getting the punters back on side dad Zlatko made him public enemy No.1 again by handing the midfielder a late call-up for Croatia's Euro 2004 squad.

At just 23, Kranjcar has been through more turmoil than your average footballer. But when asked if he has ever considered quitting the international game the Portsmouth star responds immediately: "Never".

Kranjcar is of a different breed. Sitting among the rest of Pompey's star-studded squad in the canteen of their training complex you can sense he isn't like the rest.

There's no standard Premiership bling for a start. He's a grounded individual, deeply patriotic and wouldn't dream of turning his back on Croatia.

In Scotland our passion for the Saltire is undoubted. We like to think we're prouder than most nations because of history, heritage and tradition. But when you've endured what most Croats have - like being immersed in a civil war - it takes that pride even further.

Kranjcar is a prime example. In the absence of injured friend Eduardo this week he will be Croatia's top man when Slaven Bilic's men take on Scotland at Hampden in George Burley's first game in charge.

After all the midfielder has been through he should probably have chucked it long before now.

But as Kranjcar reflected on his colourful career he insisted the thought never crossed his mind.

He said: "My relationship with the Croatian fans will never heal 100 per cent - it's impossible. But thankfully it's becoming less and less of a problem.

"It's better than it was at the beginning but a hardcore of supporters will never forgive me. I made a choice to move from Dinamo Zagreb to Hadjuk Split - their biggest rivals. I'll never regret that because it brought me to where I am now.

"I was forced out of Dinamo and the best decision was to play for Hadjuk. It's something I will live with.

"My main agent was former Croatia striker Davor Suker at the time but another one of my advisors was shot. I don't believe that had anything to do with football.

"I had a disagreement with the Dinamo directors. The coach made me train with the youth team and after a few bad results the club wanted to cut the players' wages.

"I said I would accept it if the president and directors slashed their pay too. It didn't happen so Hadjuk was the best option for me.

"The Dinamo fans were angry but there was no physical abuse. There was stuff from the stands but I can live with name calling."

Kranjcar soon came under attack again when father Zlatko took over as national team boss in 2004.

He said: "It was awkward and I had mixed emotions. I tried to do everything right so nobody could complain about my dad.

"Even as a kid I was more worried about the results of his team than mine.

"Two days before he became Croatia's head coach everyone said I should get a call-up. Then when dad picked me for Euro 2004 suddenly it was because I was his son.

"Croatia never progressed from the group stage and it was a difficult time for both of us.

"But if the thought of quitting the national side came into my mind I'd forget it that second.

"I was brought up to love my country and do everything for Croatia.

"I will always play with my heart. That's built in to you as a Croat from your father and mother.

"No one will put me off that - I will never say no to my country."

Burley's first game at Hampden is billed as a friendly but there's no chance of Croatia or Kranjcar treating it like one.

Unlike the Scots they have the European Championships to look forward to this summer after knocking out England in qualifying.

But the loss of Arsenal striker Eduardo - after Birmingham defender Martin Taylor's infamous tackle - is a huge blow to Bilic's side as the Brazilian-born ace scored most of their goals in Group Six.

Kranjcar played with Eduardo as a kid and reckons the Hampden clash will prove whether Croatia can cope with the loss of such a prolific hitman.

He said: "It's important to learn how we cope without Eduardo who was our top striker and main player. We believe in the other forwards but there's no one who can fill his boots.

"Eduardo was the top scorer in qualifying and will be hard to replace.

"The manager will want to try different things against Scotland and we need to adapt quickly if we're to be successful at the Euros.

"I grew up with Eduardo and we were always in the same team.

"I've always been close to him and if anyone deserved a big career in football it was him.

"He didn't have it easy coming to Croatia from Brazil without his parents.

He's an enormous talent and everyone in Croatia is sad about his injury."

Kranjcar has been warned about Scotland by Pompey coach Joe Jordan (below left) but knew about us already after our epic attempt to join the Croats in Austria and Switzerland.

The Scots' heart-breaking exit at the hands of superpowers Italy and France made the whole world take note.

Kranjcar was no different and after scoring one of the goals that knocked the Auld Enemy out at Wembley he's hoping Croatia might even get a bit of support from the Tartan Army.

Niko said: "I know about a lot of the Scottish players - especially the ones who play in the Premiership like James McFadden, Darren Fletcher, Craig Gordon and Alan Hutton.

"We know how close Scotland were to qualifying from the most difficult group imaginable. They proved they are a team you have to respect.

"Nobody can go to Scotland and say for sure they are going to win now.

"We know Hampden is a big test and the Scots have the respect of not just Croatia but the whole world.

"They proved in the Euro qualifiers they can cause damage, especially at home.

"I didn't think about being popular in Scotland when I scored at Wembley.

"But if Scots want to support us at the Euros it would be great."