BACK TO ARCHIVE INDEX © All written site content is copyright ComeOnBoro.com 2004-2007, unless otherwise stated, and is not to be used without prior permission.	CROATIA v ENGLAND - LAMPARD: BILIC WILL WANT ENGLAND SCALP Frank Lampard has revealed the respect he has for Croatian head coach Slaven Bilic - but expects his former team-mate to be determined to topple England in Wednesday's Euro 2008 qualifier. Lampard, who will win his 50th cap in the Maksimir Stadium, admitted he learnt a lot from former defender Bilic during his formative years when the pair were team-mates at West Ham. Bilic also had a spell with Everton after a £4.5million transfer from Upton Park, before succeeding Zlatko Kranjcar as Croatia coach in July. Lampard said: "Slaven was a fantastic player who spoke his mind. He brought a lot of personality into the West Ham team. He helped me and Rio Ferdinand a lot. "He was always there to offer advice. I have a lot of respect for him and I could see him going on to become a coach because he has that personality. "I don't know what he has done since he packed up playing but he was always willing to help youngsters, which is a good sign, but he also has a determined personality as well. "Having played with some of us and against some of us, I am sure he will be even more determined to beat England on Wednesday." Croatia will be looking to extend a proud 16-year unbeaten home record in competitive games, whereas Steve McClaren's side must improve on their performance in Saturday's goalless draw with Macedonia. Lampard said: "There is a long way to go in the group. It is not quite the right attitude to say we have to win on Wednesday. We want to win - but we don't want to get beaten as well. "It will be slightly different to Saturday. Macedonia did come and attack us but Croatia will probably do it even more which might give us a bit of extra space to attack. "But we have to be very careful because technically they are very good, so we will have to be on our toes defensively." Lampard again insisted England can take nothing for granted in their bid to reach the Euro 2008 finals, which will be staged in Austria and Switzerland. He said: "Someone said we were in an easy group. I can't see that. You are talking about a few very technically good teams. Macedonia gave us a very hard game and so will Russia, Croatia and Israel. "We have already seen a few draws in the group so far. This is by no means a group we will win easily and just progress straight through to the European Championships." Lampard scored the first of his 12 England goals in a friendly against Croatia just over three years ago and was also on target when the sides clashed during Euro 2004. By Bettingzone.co.uk Used with permission. SEND THIS TO A FRIEND CROATIA v ENGLAND MATCH PROGRAMME INDEX
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