Modric and Perisic fear Scotland fate if they don’t improve
Croatian superstar, Luka Modric, has warned his team-mates they have to raise their game against Scotland in Tuesday’s do-or-die encounter.
Steve Clarke’s side know a win would be enough to see them qualify from the group stages of a major tournament for the first time ever.
But Croatia also know three points would see them through at Hampden after they drew with the Czech Republic in Mount Florida on Friday evening.
And Real Madrid ace Modric knows they have to improve after two disappointing performances from them so far at Euro 2020.
He said: “We know we have to beat Scotland if we want to qualify.
“We should have scored more goals against the Czechs, and we were unfortunate we didn’t win.
“It’s left a bitter taste with us.
“We were very disorganised in the first half, and we didn’t start the game with any self-confidence or belief in ourselves.
“But we were better in the second half.
“It’s as if some kind of uncertainty has crept in, and that has to change against the Scots. We need to be a lot better because if we don’t improve, Scotland will make it very tough for us.
“Since the start of the World Cup qualifiers, and in our friendly matches, we haven’t been at our best, and this is not where we want to be.
“Our fans are rightly dissatisfied. We as players are dissatisfied, too.”
Croatia’s goalscoring hero, Ivan Perisic, agreed with his colleague that they must improve hugely against Steve Clarke’s battling side.
He said: “We need to be more confident, and we need to have more faith in ourselves.
“We haven’t had that in the last five or six games, and we have to bring it back.
“Honestly, it was a bad performance from us against the Czechs, after being even poorer against England.
“We need to improve at least 25% more, or we are going home after the group stages.
“It will be difficult against Scotland.
“We’ve never beaten them before, and with their fans there, it’s going to be hard. But I think we can do it.
“We have four days to rest, to talk and change something.”