Antonio Colak is praying he can use his Rangers scoring form to book his place at Qatar as he believes Croatia can be World Cup shock troops all over again.
The striker, who was named the Premiership ’s player of the month for October, has netted an impressive 14 goals since his summer arrival at Ibrox. The 29-year-old has been named in Croatia’s preliminary squad for next month’s finals and is hoping he will make the final cut when Zlatko Dalic names his final roster next week.
Colak, who has three caps to his name, knows how much Croatia have with the likes of Luka Modric and co. They saw off hosts Russia, England and Denmark as they made it to the last World Cup Final before they were bravely beaten by France. Colak knows with Modric and the midfield quality his nation have then there is no reason why they can’t make a similar impact at this year’s finals in the Middle East.
He said: “Yes, I think so. I was there a couple of times in the group now and they have had a lot of time together.
“They have a lot of important players in the team. I would compare it to a tree. All the circles around it makes it really strong. You have Luka Modric, Mateo Kovacic and Marcelo Brozovic in the middle and you see how they are holding and stick the team together.
“It is really important in a tournament to have a team who have not just come together but have known each other for a long time. This team is capable of going a long way in the tournament but every tournament is different.”
Modric is the star man of Croatian football and Colak admitted he is unbelievable to play alongside. The Rangers star said: “Yes, you saw it also in the game against Celtic.
“Every game he plays it’s unbelievable. In every training session when I’ve been there I can learn from players like that. It’s a joy to be with them.”
The big frontman is hoping his impressive domestic form will see him and team-mate Borna Barisic make the cut, while Celtic defender Josip Juranovic is also likely to be selected. The former PAOK player confessed that the World Cup was a major goal before he even moved to Scotland
He said: “It was a big target before I came to Rangers. I knew that if I did well with my club then this could be a big target for me.
“Now it is really close. I am in the preliminary squad and next week we will know whether or not I go.
“It is already a big honour to be there and I will try to give everything in every game and hopefully the national team coach will recognise that. To represent your country at such a big tournament is one of the biggest things you can achieve as a footballer.
“Throughout my career, as a young boy I had some targets, like playing Champions League and hearing that anthem before the game, playing for the national team and another was to play in a big tournament.
“Now I am really close and I don’t know if it will be me or not but the coach will decide what is best for the Croatia side. I hope I can be part of it because it would be a dream come true for me.”
Colak doesn’t see this as his only shot at World Cup glory because he reckons he will still be in his prime when the next finals are in the United States. The Gers hitman can also take hope from another Croatian who starred for Rangers in Dado Prso as he knows these really can be the golden years.
Colak said: “Maybe but you know how football is. There are always nice stories that football writes.
“Prso also made his first game for the national team at 29 – so there is never a peak. I could also win the Champions League at 34. I don’t set any limits. Luka Modric won the Ballon D’Or at 34, (Karim) Benzema also.
“You know there are big things you can achieve in such a short period. Look what I have achieved in a short period at Rangers. It is just about being positive, working hard and you can achieve a lot.
“I say to my fiancee sometimes I feel I am 22 even though I am 29. I’m feeling really good at the moment.”
Colak will hope to keep his red-hot scoring form going against St Johnstone tomorrow but is hoping Dalic has already nailed down his squad ahead of next week’s confirmation. The goals and win however would help Rangers get over the disappointment of their Champions League campaign.
He said: “I hope it (Croatia squad) is decided already because in the last two months I have shown so many things. I can’t show more when it comes to scoring goals. He has seen what I can do and what I can bring. I hope I can make it.”
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