Outgoing Slovenia coach hasn't given up on World Cup dream ahead of Scotland visit
Srecko Katanec's insists his side will do all they can to beat Scotland
Slovenia coach Srecko Katanec insists he still believes his team can make the World Cup despite announcing his impending resignation ahead of Scotland's visit.
In the wake of Slovenia's last-gasp defeat to England on Thursday, Katanec confirmed he would step down once the campaign was over.
His comments were criticised in his homeland given Slovenia still have a remote chance of sealing second spot in Group F - they need to beat Scotland and hope Malta snatch an unlikely point in Slovakia.
Malta have only taken one point so far but Katanec denied he had given up hope of a play-off spot following Harry Kane's stoppage-time goal.
The former Yugoslavia and Sampdoria midfielder, who led Slovenia to two major finals in his first spell in charge, said: “We all saw how that statement was reflected in the media. Of course I believe (we can qualify) and I want to do our part and hope for the best in Slovakia.
“Some of the Slovenian journalists who were trying to undermine me for the past year have not showed up for the press conference. They are not here, I am here.
“I don't want to go into too many details right now. Maybe we won't have two matches in November or the World Cup in Russia but I will explain my decision afterwards.
“We still have a mathematical chance of qualifying. I have some personal issues which I want to take care of afterwards and I will discuss it after the campaign.
“I will stay until the end of the campaign - if we get to the play-offs I will be on the bench, if we get to Russia, I will be there. I will postpone my private matters until after that.”
The 54-year-old added ahead of Sunday's game at the Stozice Stadium in Ljubljana: “The expectations are the same as with every other game.
“We still have a mathematical chance to qualify and as long as that stands we will do our best to win the game and end this group stage in the best possible way.
“For what we can control, we are well prepared, and the atmosphere around the team is good.”
Slovenia also lost to a late goal in a 1-0 defeat at Hampden in March and Katanec has not been surprised to see Scotland go from strength to strength since then.
“Scotland are a good team,” he said. “Even in the first game against Slovakia, which they lost, they were good until they lost the first goal.
“They have a style we are not too comfortable with, they are very aggressive and at home they have a crowd that will spur them on regardless of the result. I'm not surprised by their good form.
“We know there will be a lot of Scotland fans at the stadium and this will give their team an extra boost, and it will be difficult, but we will do our best."