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BBC Scotland commentator Liam McLeod points out that tonight's game took third billing behind 17-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic - and the latest basketball updates - in Serbian newspaper sports pages.

However, it will still be big news should they defeat Scotland in Belgrade and you can read Liam's scouting report on the hosts here.

Serbia head coach Ljubisa Tumbakovic feared the loss of key players Aleksandar Kolarov, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Nikola Milenkovic, plus Dusan Vlahovic, would be barred from leaving Italy following the introduction of strict new coronavirus restrictions.

But all four have managed to find their way back to Belgrade and Tumbakovic was especially pleased to see Fiorentina defender Milenkovic - a target for Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Inter Milan - join up with his team-mates.

"Of course I was very relieved to see him join the team because Nikola is a standout performer for this team," he said. "Over the last 18 months and the 15 matches he has played with us, he has been a great support for both the team and myself, so I was very relieved to see him here."

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Just to get you in the mood, here's a wee reminder of what happened the last time Scotland made it to a major finals.

Watch by clicking below.

It's been 22 years of hurt for Scotland, but it has been an almost equally long wait for Serbia to reach a European Championship finals.

Indeed, although they have reached World Cup finals, they have yet to reach an European Championship finals since the nation emerges from the ashes of the former Yugoslavia in 2006.

Serbia head coach Ljubisa Tumbakovic is excited about leading his national team to his first tournament since being appointed last year.

"It's the biggest match of my coaching career," said the 68-year-old former Partizan Belgrade boss. "For someone of my age, I'd say that is one of the most important matches I've been involved in.

"We have also played a number of matches that have been equally decisive, but this has special importance and significance."

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Former Scotland internationals Steven Thompson and Michael Stewart have a stab at guessing Steve Clarke's selection.

Agree? Thumbs up for yes, thumbs down for no.

Serbia's Dusan Tadic admits tonight's game is likely to be a tense affair.

"In finals, there are no favourites, it's a 50/50 match," Ajax's attacking midfielder said. "We love the game, we love the pressure, we love the tension. We're used to it."

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Some more responses to our question about where you will be watching the game tonight.

Paul Allen says: "I'm en route to Belgrade right now... what do you mean there will be no fans in the stadium tonight?!"

Lex says: "Pints of Buckfast and plates of sausage rolls."

Meanwhile, Tommy K adds: "Birthday tea out then home with feet up, wine poured and telly on!"

That thrilling draw with Croatia puts Scot Gemmill's under-21s top of Group 4, ahead of Czech Republic on goal difference and still one in front of this afternoon's visitors.

Greece are five points behind the leaders and technically not out of it, but they would have to win their last two games, both at home, against the Czechs tomorrow and Scotland next week - and hope Croatia lose at home to Lithuania.

With Croatia strong favourites for that one, the onus is on the Scots to win in Greece. Now wonders the visitors were happy with a draw at Tynecastle today, despite squandering a two-goal lead.

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Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland at Tynecastle Park

It's all over at Tynecastle as Scotland Under21’s recover from 2-0 down to snatch a draw against Croatia.

Borna Sosa was sent off for the visitors after Scotland reduced the arrears, but Billy Gilmour's red card halted the hosts' comeback after they levelled.

Qualification for next year's European Championship finals now goes down to the final group match in Greece next Tuesday.

Now the attention moves to the senior squad in Serbia. Can they go one better?

We asked earlier how you would be watching tonight's game and it seems like there is more than one case of split loyalties.

James Vukmirovic says on Twitter: "I'm in a weird position tonight, having a Scottish grandmother and Serbian grandfather, so it's bittersweet whoever wins."

Serbia head coach Ljubisa Tumbakovic has warned Scotland that Aleksandar Mitrovic is not the only danger man he has ready to shoot down the Tartan Army's Euro 2020 hopes.

The Fulham striker needs just two goals to equal his country's international scoring record, having hit 36 in 59 appearances so far.

"Each of the players can do equally as good as Mitrovic can," Tumbakovic said. "In the past few months, Mitrovic has been the guy scoring the goals, but that doesn't mean that another player can't do the same.

"It's probably the case that our opponents aren't quite familiar with our players, so they will probably try to close down all of them."

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Having feared he would be denied four of his Serie A-based players because of Italian lockdown measures, Serbia head coach Ljubisa Tumbakovic has escaped fairly unscathed having selected a larger than normal squad in case of call-offs.

Crystal Palace's Luka Milinvojevic and fellow midfielder Filip Djuricic, of Sassuolo, were ruled out after testing positive for Covid-19, while Werder Bremen did not allow centre-half Milos Veljkovic to travel.

Djuricic scored twice in Serbia's win over Scotland in 2013, but all three were more likely to start on the bench.

Tumbakovic's biggest headache could be whether to gamble on the fitness of captain Aleksandar Kolorov, with the 35-year-old centre-half having missed Internazionale's weekend game with a back injury.

Anyway, here's what I guess might be Serbia's starting line-up.

Image source, BBC Sport

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland at Tynecastle Park

It's going to be an uphill battle now for the young Scots as they still trail by two goals at the break.

Poor defending allowed Croatia captain Nikola Moro time to take one touch with his left before hammering home with his right for the opener. The second goal was a stunning strike by Kristijan Bistrovic.

Scot Gemmill has the likes of David Turnbull and Billy Gilmour to call on from the bench, but even they may not be enough to stop a rampant Croatia side who will leapfrog both Scotland and group leaders Czech Republic with a win.

Scot Gemmill has introduced winger Glenn Middleton, with Nathan Patterson making way, as the hosts desperately try to force their way back into the game.

You would imagine that striker Aleksandar Mitrovic would be a marked man tonight.

The 26-year-old has scored twice in eight Premier League appearances for Fulham this season, but it is with Serbia where he is a more deadly presence.

He has 13 goals in his last 12 international appearances and needs two against Scotland to top the Euro 2020 qualifying campaign scoring stakes.

Andrew Considine made an impressive debut for Scotland at the age of 33 during the last round of international fixtures as Steve Clarke's squad was hit by injuries and Covid-related absences.

Is it too much to expect the veteran Aberdeen defender to retain his place despite the return of the likes of Kieran Tierney, Andy Robertson, Scott McKenna and Liam Cooper? Probably, but he is a handy man to have in reserve.

Scott McKenna is convinced head coach Steve Clarke will ensure Scotland keep cool heads tonight.

McKenna was only a year old when Scotland played at the France World Cup 22 years ago, but the Nottingham Forest centre-half said "we can't get too caught up in it all" as he pondered a chance to end the long wait for a place in a major finals.

Read more here.

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