How can Scotland hurt Croatia?

Croatia boast talent including Real Madrid superstar Luka Modric and Manchester City pair Mateo Kovacic and Josko Gvardiol. Gulp.

So how might Scotland tear up the form book and stun the Croats in Zagreb on Saturday?

Croatian football expert Vrdoljak Juraj says slick counter-attacking and savvy set-pieces will be key.

“Scotland’s recent form could easily get a team like Croatia very complacent, but I don’t get the feeling they are. No one is taking the game lightly or thinking it well be easy, not in the slightest,” Juraj told the BBC’s Scottish football podcast.

“Especially with the home crowd, Croatia is very focused on the game. Croatia has a debt to settle after the Euros and they need to prove themselves.

“Scotland will need to be fast on their transitions. Croatia will try to score as soon as possible because that’s one thing that brings out the nervousness from the game.

“But Scotland will have opportunities to counter-attack. Scotland need to be fast on the break and also if they manage to get a set piece close to the Croatian goal, that’s where the chances lie.

“There’s been some issues with Croatia defending set-pieces, so those are the two two biggest chances to hurt us.”

Despite having turned 39 last month, midfielder Modric is still the man who “pulls the strings” for the Croats, says Juraj.

He added: “For Scotland, the one player you don’t want to allow a lot of time on the ball, a lot of time to pick his options, is Modric.

“He’s still controlling the whole midfield and he’s near his 40th birthday. He’s still the main player of this squad and our most important player.”