Scottish coach: ‘We admire Croatia. Such a small country, and it has such phenomenal players’

Scotland has always been a “black cat” Croatia. We only beat them once in six games, but our ‘black cat’ is not doing well lately.

Scots don’t know about victory anymoreć eight games, and against Poland and Portugal in September, they tragically lost points in the last minutes. However, regardless of the fact that they are favored by Croatia in Maksimir, coach Steve Clarke believes that they can topple the bronze-winning national team from the last World Cup.

Scotland won its first EURO after 1996 |

Foto: Antonio Ahel/ATAImages/PIXSELL

– Of course I believe. Croatia is the favorite, but we came to compete. The recipe is always the same. In order to be successful, we must control the ball as much as possible and not allow the opponent to develop their game. There are always chances for a positive result – said Clarke and continued:

– You have to hope and believe. We play for our country, we have to fight. We must reduce the number of errors in the danger zone. That cost us dearly in past games.

Photo: PEDRO NUNES/REUTERS

How do you see Croatia?

– She looks good, she won against Poland and played very well. Croatia is very good, but that is nothing new.

How is it that Croatia manages to be at the top of world football, but has a smaller population than Scotland and worse conditions?

– We admire Croatia, it has fantastic results. Such a small country, about the size of Scotland, and it produces top games. And world-class games, the best in the world, such as Luka Modri. We admire and envy Croatia.

Zagreb: Media conference of the Scottish football team

Photo: Marko Prpic/PIXSELL

He added that entering the elite class of the League of Nations is a big challenge for his team.

– When you play in the highest class of the League of Nations, then you have done something good, this competition is a big challenge for us. We have to look at the bigger picture, there were a lot of elements that we can be satisfied with, the qualifications for the world championship are ahead of us – pointed out the Scottish strategist.

Braveč Anthony Ralston emphasized that there are a lot of new players in the team, but also that they have trained well and are looking forward to tomorrow’s match with great optimism.

– I feel good, we worked well and we are ready for tomorrow’s match – said the 25-year-old Celtic midfielder.

The Scots come to Zagreb with a streak of six matches without a win, with four defeats and two draws. They recorded their last victory against Gibraltar in a friendly match. In the official trials, they are waiting for the celebration of the evening. nine games.

– It is a difficult situation, there are no victories, although we are playing well. We have a good team, it is important that we believe in ourselves – he added.

Zagreb: Media conference of the Scottish football team

Photo: Marko Prpic/PIXSELL

They also lost both games in the Nations League group.

– Our mistakes decided. We lost both games in the end, but there were many good things.

He also revealed what kind of match he expects on Saturday.

– Croatia will certainly have more possession of the ball, we know all their qualities, but we also believe in our quality – he said.

He also referred to the games of the Croatian captain Luka Modrić.

– We all know who Modri ​​is, top game. moreć for years – he said.