SLAVEN BILIC is convinced Croatia will ROCK England at Wembley.

Boss Bilic has his own hard rock band and grew up being a huge fan of Brit heavy metal legends like Iron Maiden, Judas Priest and Black Sabbath.

Now he wants to plot his country’s biggest win in one of the most famous rock venues in the world — Wembley.

A point against Macedonia today will see Croatia safely through to Euro 2008.

Yet, in an exclusive interview, Bilic was adamant Croatia are coming to Wembley to win EVEN if they have already qualified.

Coming to win

He told SunSport: “There’s no way if we get the result we want in Skopje that we will be indifferent. My players are coming to England to represent our country and win.

"There are very few games you play for the national team and not to put 100 per cent is out of the question. You just can’t do it.

“I am confident my side can beat England. But I said at the start of the qualification it would be very bad for us if we need anything against England when we go to the last game at Wembley.

"We will do everything to sort out our qualification before then.

“I’m hoping on Saturday night I will be a happy and relieved man.”

Former West Ham and Everton defender Bilic has not had the chance to see the new Wembley — although he played there for Croatia in a goalless friendly against England before Euro 96.

Wednesday’s clash could be a dead rubber if Russia win in Israel this evening — and it could mean Wembley’s stands are left half-empty.

Bilic added: “I would like Wembley to be packed. First of all, of course, I would love us to be qualified.

“But for us the game will be the same and we will give our maximum whether Wembley’s packed or empty. We’re playing England away and for us that’s a big, big, game.”

RAW BLIMEY ... Bilic in Rawbow

Bilic took over Croatia after the World Cup when he was promoted from the Under-21 job. A legendary defender for his countrymen, he was a popular choice and he has lived up to expectations as Croatia have won eight and drawn two of their games so far.

He added: “I expected us to be in that position otherwise I wouldn’t have taken the job. When I took over I was quite sure we could qualify.

“I was the manager of the Under-21s and I knew some of the players would be big. Players like Luca Modric, Vedran Corluka and Eduardo Da Silva.”

England’s poor campaign has puzzled Bilic, who did not pull any punches and blasted boss Steve McLaren’s men for their woeful second-half show in Russia.

The Three Lions were tamed by two late second-half strikes despite Wayne Rooney’s stunning first-half opener and now Russia have the upper hand.

Bilic said: “I am surprised by how England’s campaign has gone as they are one of the biggest powers in world football.

"I was really disappointed with the game England played in Russia especially after they scored the first goal. In the second half I thought they were too deep. They were defending just outside their box.

“I was disappointed, especially as I was cheering for England because if they had got a result it would have put us through.”

Croatia beat England 2-0 over a year ago when keeper Paul Robinson dropped a clanger in Zagreb yet Bilic is adamant that his side were better.

He said: “We fully deserved to beat England, who had one shot on target.

“Your media blamed everything on Robinson. It was unlucky for him but Robinson was until then England’s best player, making three or four great saves.”

Returning to Wembley will be an emotional occasion for Bilic — although Russia could put a dampener on if they win in Israel today.

He added: “I played at Wembley just before Euro 96 when Croatia drew 0-0 with England in a friendly. When I was a kid my father told me ‘Wembley is THE place, the home of football.’

“I was very happy I had the chance to play there. The occasion was still one of the best memories in my career.”

Despite his love of music, Bilic never went to a show at Wembley in the four years he spent in England.

He continued: “The bands I like didn’t play Wembley at the time. I went to Milton Keynes a couple of times to a Rock festival, I think it was called ‘Big Day Out’ and I saw Metallica and Sepultura.

“I like music generally. But I grew up on British heavy metal. People like Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath.”

Guitarist Bilic has formed a rock band called Rawbow with some pals.

He added: “There are five of us and we’ve been going for three years.

“We’re not playing at the moment as I’m very busy with the national team.

“I miss it big-time. Everyone needs a release. People play golf, go climbing or collect stamps. Apart from football, music is my favourite thing. It’s a release but it also charges up my batteries."