Borna Barisic has been appointed Croatia’s chief spook as they look to send Scotland packing in the race for the Euro 2020 last 16.
But before then the Rangers star must put the frightners on England’s megastars at Wembley in Sunday night’s Group D opener.
Barisic will assume important roles on and off the park as Zlatko Dalic’s side hunt down a place in the knockout stage of the Euros.
His job doesn’t come much tougher than the prospect of facing any combination of Phil Foden, Jadon Sancho, Raheem Serling, Mason Mount or even Bukayo Saka on Sunday evening in London.
But according to team mate Josip Brekalo, the Ibrox left-back is a key man ahead of his first major finals.
And it’s his inside knowledge of Scotland and Hampden that the Croats hope will prove crucial in the closing group match in Glasgow.
Wolfsburg winger Brekalo said: “Borna is excellent in the Scottish league.
“He will be very important to us for advice when we play the match against Scotland.
“Borna has managed to earn his place during the Nations League and qualifiers to become the first choice in that position.
“He is a high quality player who can contribute a lot to us this summer.”
Brekalo, 22, has yet to experience a major tournament but watched Croatia dump England en route to the World Cup Final, which they lost to France, three years ago.
And he insists a repeat result would make Sunday the “biggest game of my career”.
Likewise towering striker Bruno Petkovic is preparing for his first finals and could be given the nod to lead the line against the Three Lions.
The fearsome forward has already dumped England skipper Harry Kane in Europe this year - when his Dinamo Zagreb side shocked Spurs 3-0 in the second leg of their Europa League clash back in March to win 3-2 on aggregate.
Now he’s looking to leave Kane sick for a second time at Wembley.
He said: “Of course we hope to get the result we had in March against him.
“I remember that match so well. Especially the return leg, which was one of the most beautiful moments in my career in Dinamo.
“I would love that result to repeat itself.
“We’re aware of the roster England has. We know every player has, maybe not an equivalent, but someone who is playing in the best leagues and best clubs in the world to take their place.
“We are analysing them and following all of the advantages and disadvantages they might have. But we are not particularly focused on individual names because we know how wide their base is.
“If you compare it to the 2018 World Cup when I was a fan, I think there was maybe more pompous news ahead of the match, more from the media than any players.
“Now we know they are an excellent team and they know the same about us. I don’t believe they will underestimate us or start too openly.”
Petkovic is viewed by some as the successor to Croatian legend Mario Mandzukic. But the 6ft 4in hitman played down any comparisons.
And as he spoke to the media last night ahead of the England opener the fired-up frontman took a bizarre swipe at one Croatian reporter - making reference to Casper the ghost - following criticism of his performance in the final warm-up match against Belgium on Sunday.
He said: “Should I put you together with England? Considering I got called Casper, I’m not sure if you can see me right now.
“I don’t think about those comments too much. I have experts around me who tell me how I should play and work.
“Your articles or English articles are not going to shake me up.
“I believe I am ready regardless of some comments from experts at the match against Belgium.
“The head coach showed me a a lot of good things I did, plus some mistakes as well of course.
‘If we are talking about personal form, I think I have everything in place to play a really good tournament.”
