Dejan Lovren has warned Croatia that ‘Braveheart’ Scotland are still a real threat to their Euro 2020 hopes.
The former Liverpool hero is set to return from injury for his nation’s final two Group D clashes with Czech Republic on Friday and then Steve Clarke’s side next Tuesday.
Both games are at Hampden. And the Zenit St Petersburg stopper has pinpointed the “bravery and heart” of Scotland – as well as the backing of the Tartan Army – as a serious danger.
Croatia are desperate to get their campaign back on track after an opening 1-0 defeat to England at Wembley.
And after watching the Czechs dump Scotland 2-0 thanks to two wondergoals from Patrik Schick, Lovren is adamant the group is wide open.
He said: “The result on Monday gave the Czech Republic a boost of confidence. But I believe as a team we can still do well.
“We need to be intelligent and take three points any way we can.
“After that we face Scotland who also want to prove themselves in front of their own audience. It’s not going to be easy.
“Scotland is a team that never gives up.
“It was the same against Czech, they had a lot of chances and unfortunately for them they didn’t score but they have a lot of fight in them.
“Every ball is contested, they have heart and bravery.
“Our entire group is difficult. It might look simple on paper but it’s not.
“We will be playing on Scotland’s turf in front of their supporters so we need to be very careful.
“Czech Republic are not a bad team. It was a firm match, especially early on. Two fantastic goals by Schick changed it.
“Scotland and Czech Republic are both good at set pieces, they have shown that. We need to focus on possession and if the opportunity presents itself then we can be dangerous at set pieces too because we have some tall players.
“We just need to stay firm, focused and take the three points any way we can.”
Lovren, a veteran of Croatia’s 2018 World Cup Final side, is back in full training and insists he is “ready” after recovering from a knee ligament problem.
The 6ft 3in stopper is expected to go straight back into the heart of Zlatko Dalic’s defence for his 65th cap against the Czechs.
Rangers star Borna Barisic could also return at left-back as he steps up his recovery from a back injury.
Barisic’s place against England was taken by rookie teenager Josko Gvardiol, pictured below. But the side came in for heavy criticism back home after the Wembley defeat made it just two wins from their last 10.
Lovren took aim at the snipers saying: “Defence is 11 players. We could have done better against England especially at the goal. But I thought Josko played well so I don’t know where all this negativity towards the players or Josko who is 19 comes from.
“The boy has incredible talent and there should not be any negative atmosphere about who was the worst player or best player. We lose together and we win together.
“We should have done more. We wanted the three points but it never went as planned. We never performed the way we should have.
“In parts of the game we acquitted ourselves well. That was up until the goal. Then I don’t think we were at the levels we should have been at.
“But we should take into consideration it was very hot. That was not the Croatia we know. We have to improve in the next two matches.”
