Czech Republic defender Ondrej Celustka feels the team must not allow their only focus to be shackling the ‘brain’ of the Croatia side Luka Modric.

While everything might appear to flow through the Real Madrid man, Celustka said: "Luka Modric is the brain of their play.

“He will get a lot of ball and try to get loose from the players marking him, but it is not only about him.

“We have seen the other offensive footballers and all of them are at a very high level.”

Celustka added: “We need to close them down well, have a tight field and do all the defensive work responsibly.

“If we build on our display against Scotland, we have a chance also against Croatia.”

Image source, Getty

An announcement booms out over the PA system and on the huge screens that VAR, which is still pretty much a rarity in Scotland, is in play for today's match. A grown man 50 yards from the press box has just stood up and screamed "Boo!" at the screen.

Welcome to Glasgow.

If we must...

Sun is splitting the sky in Glasgow. Not quite tops off weather, but not far off it. There's also some inspirational music for one of our teams blaring out, for good measure.

Close your eyes, and you could be abroad. Have no idea what language it is, so not sure where, but you'd be somewhere...

The Czechs come in to matchday No.2 top of group D after that victory over Scotland on Monday. Gareth Southgate's side are just a goal behind thanks to their 1-0 triumph at Wembley against Croatia.

Now, all eyes are understandably on Wembley for tonight's game, but supporters, particularly those currently sloshing around in a fountain somewhere in London, should be paying attention to this one.

Victory for the Czech Republic will take Jaroslav Silhavy's men straight into the last 16, leaving Croatia's hopes of progression hinging on beating Scotland in their final game and hoping that they squeeze in.

Following so far?

A win for the Croatians and they are right back in this group, leaving them, the Czechs and England locked on three point apiece prior to tonight's game at Wembley. A draw may end up being enough for the Czech Republic, while teeing up a grand finale for Croatia back here at Hampden on Tuesday against Steve Clarke's side.

Basically, Scotland don't want a Croatia win here, while Gareth Southgate's men probably don't have to worry about it just yet. Can they both lose, just to be on the safe side?

There are two changes for Croatia following their defeat against England.

Dejan Lovren has recovered from a knee ligament injury and starts in place of Duje Caleta-Car. Josip Brekalo also starts, with Marcelo Brozovic dropping to the bench.

Croatia XI: Livakovic, Vrsaljko, Vida, Lovren, Gvardiol, Modric, Kovacic, Brekalo, Kramaric, Rebic, Perisic.

Image source, .

Czech Republic make one change from their opening game win over Scotland, with Tomas Holes starting in place of Alex Kral, who drops to the bench.

Czech Republic XI: Vaclik, Coufal, Celustka, Kalas, Boril, Holes, Soucek, Masopust, Darida, Jankto, Schick.

Image source, .

The Croatians are all out on the park warming up, still no sign of their opponents yet, though.

Stick with us as the all-important team news is up next...

Getting in early, but remember you can rate the players in today's match in Glasgow's south side. Today's player rater will be available shortly after kick off.

Hello and welcome to live coverage of the first Group D match today as Croatia take on the Czech Republic.

I'll be taking you through everything here from the comfort of Hampden's fancy new press box, before the wee diddy game kicks off at 20:00...

To get myself in the Euro mood, I've already shuffled my beverage bottle further down the desk.

Image source, Scott Mullen/BBC