ZLATKO DALIC believes Croatia are at a 'disadvantage' at Euro 2020 due to Covid fears and regulations and the absence of their supporters during their games at Wembley and Hampden.

Croatia face Scotland in their final Group D clash on Tuesday evening in desperate need of a win to keep alive their ambitions of reaching the knockout stages of the competition this summer.

Dalic's side were beaten 1-0 by England in their opening fixture in London before being held by the Czech Republic in Glasgow as they have underperformed so far in a competitive section.

Glasgow Times: Croatia's Borna Barisic (left) and manager Zlatko Dalic during the training session at Wembley Stadium

Now they will face a Scotland side that will be without star man Billy Gilmour after he tested positive for Coronavirus and was forced into self-isolation for ten days.

The Scottish FA are confident there will be no other close contacts of the Chelsea midfielder but Dalic has highlighted Croatia's travel arrangements - courtesy of their decision to cancel a training camp in St Andrews at the eleventh hour - that have caused them issues over the last fortnight.

Quarantine regulations have also denied Dalic's players the support of their vocal and colourful support and the 54-year-old has expressed his bemusement at the situation ahead of their make-or-break fixture with Steve Clarke's side.

Dalic said: “We always knew the third match would be decisive. This is our last chance and we’re going to try to take it and progress.

“I keep saying it – we are at a disadvantage. We are harmed because we don’t have our fans here.

Glasgow Times: Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic and his squad have cancelled plans to be based at St Andrews in Scotland during the Euros

“We are much better with our supporters behind us. It’s not fair.

“We have to travel, we are in isolation all the time –and they have told us if one of us is positive then we all go in to isolation.

“We’re afraid of all these things and being told we are not allowed to do this and that.

“Even so, we want to achieve success and will be fighting very hard to do it. We will have to be patient and take our chances.

“We are a very motivated side but we see Scotland as a very tough team. They played well against England.

“I wouldn’t go into [talking about the St Andrews camp] but I know how much pressure we had when it came to that camp.

Glasgow Times: Zlatko Dalic during his pre-match press conference

“We made an exception to not be in the camp, so we are travelling every three days. It’s not good, those are not good conditions.

“I would not like to comment and say something that isn’t related to the field.

“The conditions should be the same for all, but they are not the same for all.

“Nonetheless, I wish Gilmour a good recovery and I wish that nobody else ends up positive with Covid because that would make things difficult."

The Croatia squad arrived in Glasgow on Monday ahead of their defining 90 minutes against Scotland as Clarke and his staff came to terms with the huge blow of losing Gilmour for the Hampden showdown.

Glasgow Times: Andy Robertson was full of praise for Billy Gilmour after Scotland's draw against England.

Gilmour tested positive for Coronavirus just days after starring for the Scots at Wembley but Dalic is confident none of his players will request to sit out the Group D clash over fears of contracting the virus.

Dalic said: “There is a pressure for all of us, lasting for a month relating to this situation.

“Every third day we go through the tests, there is psychological pressure and uncertainty.

Glasgow Times: Scotland manager Steve Clarke on the touchline during the UEFA Euro 2020 Group D match at Hampden Park, Glasgow. Picture date: Monday June 14, 2021. PA Photo. See PA story SOCCER Scotland. Photo credit should read: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS:

“So we are afraid something would happen, they test positive and we all end up isolating and having those serious issues.

“I repeat that I hope nobody else is positive, I don’t want this to expand.

“Hopefully it’s just a single case, we are concerned but we have to do this match, we have to play and try to win the three points.

“We have just arrived in Glasgow, had lunch and we are due to have a meeting - but I don’t expect anyone to say they don’t want to play.

“All of them are afraid but nonetheless, we have to play, concentrate on the game and forget everything else. That’s how the situation is for this entire Euros.

“All of us have been negative until now, we are taking all the precautions and implement all the measures. But we just have to see what happens."

Dalic has his own selection issues to solve ahead of kick-off as Rangers defender Borna Barisic continues to make slow progress on his recovery from the injury that kept him out of the England and Czech fixtures.

Glasgow Times: Croatia's Ivan Perisic celebrates scoring their side's first goal of the game with team-mates during the UEFA Euro 2020 Group D match at Hampden

And the Croatian boss is expecting a tough encounter against a Scotland side that are in high spirits following that battling draw against the Auld Enemy on Friday evening.

Dalic said: “Any player missing is something that is not good for the team.

“He didn’t start in the initial line-up but played the last match.

“Scotland have other players, maybe more experienced players and one of those will maybe replace him.

“So I don’t think it’s a great blow to Scotland because they are a good team with great players.

“So this one player, who hasn’t been there playing from the beginning, would perhaps not be such a blow.

“Whoever replaces him will be experience, I don’t think it makes things too much more difficult for Scotland.

“They have shown they are in good form, they drew with Holland 2-2 and only lost a goal in the last minutes.

Glasgow Times: Croatia manager Zlatko Dalic (centre) during the training session at Wembley Stadium

“Against England they played well away from home in front of the English fans - so I would say that is a good team. They have a lot of motivation, a lot of self-confidence.

“Against the Czech Republic they created some very good chances and they didn’t deserve to lose that match.

“We are aware of the fact this will be a very difficult game. Scotland are a strong team, they can be physical and they have a lot of power."