DALIC DEMANDS IMPROVEMENT FOR SCOTLAND SHOWDOWN

CROATIA manager Zlatko Dalic insists his side must sharpen up for their crunch Group D clash with Scotland on Tuesday night.

A brilliant second-half strike from Ivan Perisic rescued a 1-1 draw at Hampden yesterday against the Czech Republic, who were in front though Patrik Schick’s controversial penalty. The point maintains Croatia’s hopes of reaching the knockout stage, but Dalic believes the 2018 World Cup finalists need to show more if they are to secure an essential victory over Scotland. Asked if goal difference would come into the equation, Dalic said: ‘First of all, we need to win. Four points is going to be sufficient to move on. It can be complicated for the second position but for the third one, victory will be sufficient. We will do our best. We have to improve in some matters. Today’s opponent ran more than us. We didn’t have freshness and energy, which we need.

‘Our goal is to move to the next round but we definitely have to play this third match way better.’ Schick scored from the spot after being felled by the elbow of Dejan Lovren as both players competed for a corner.

The decision outraged Croatia, with Lovren insisting his eyes were on the ball and that he was only using his arms for leverage.

‘After the penalty — I’m not quite sure what to say about that — we tried to up the intensity and missed 100-per-cent chances in the second half,’ added Dalic. ‘We were better than in the first half and somehow we got back into the game. We are going to try and win the last game and move on.’

In contrast to Dalic’s frustration, Czech Republic boss Jaroslav Silhavy was more than satisfied by the way his team followed up on the 2-0 win over Scotland to take a huge step towards the last 16.

‘Obviously we’re very happy because getting a draw against such a strong opponent is a worthy feat,’ said Silhavy. ‘Maybe Croatia was stronger in the second half. But we’re happy with one point — now let’s see how we continue.’ Asked if four points guaranteed progression, Silhavy added: ‘Usually that’s true. We’re happy because the maths really does speak for us. But nothing is sure yet.’