GARETH SOUTHGATE urged England to savour their win over Croatia as attentions turn to the 'incredible' Auld Enemy clash with Scotland on Friday evening.

The Three Lions got their Group D campaign off to an impressive start at Wembley as Raheem Sterling netted the only goal of a tight encounter.

England will now watch on as Steve Clarke's side get their tournament off and running with the crucial fixture against the Czech Republic on Monday afternoon.

Clarke's side head to Wembley later in the week for the headline game in Group D and Southgate is confident his squad can reset and go again on matchday two.

Southgate said: "This is the big challenge for us now. Of course we are delighted with the win and the players are happy and it is a positive step in terms of qualification.

"But one of the hardest things in sport is to come back to that point you were before the kick-off for the next game.

"You can get a bit of a glow of the win and a bit soft when you poke your finger in the belly.

"We have got to make sure that we are ready for what is going to be an incredible game against Scotland and a huge challenge. We have to find that.

"We should enjoy tonight because I think you have to enjoy your wins, especially in tournaments. Our first objective is qualification and we haven’t done that yet.

"We have got as very important game for us and our fans on Friday night."

England are amongst the favourites to go all the way this summer and victory at Wembley was a solid start to their campaign as Southgate looks to lead his side to glory.

Croatia would pose few problems in a stifling heat that made conditions difficult for both teams but England were deserved winners thanks to Sterling's strike just before the hour mark.

Southgate said: "I'm most pleased with the performance. Of course the win is important.

"To win the first game relieves some tension but it doesn't mean we've qualified and that's the first objective.

"The performance was really good. It was a big occasion, a sweltering hot day and the players settled really quickly, used the ball well and we limited Croatia to very few clear chances throughout the game.

"They are a good opponent who we have huge respect for and we know so much about so I couldn't be happier with not just the players that started but those who came in and the whole group for the way they prepared for this game.

"Firstly, it's a lovely day for the English public. We've waited a long time for the beer gardens to open and I'm sure they're throwing it everywhere as well as drinking it which is lovely!

"But for us, it relieves some tension. You know if you don't win the first game, the pressure ramps up.

"But we have two really difficult games left in this group and we're a good step forward today but important steps to go to qualify."

Victory here was a significant step towards qualification for England as they overcame the side that many believed would be their stiffest competition for top spot in Group D.

Croatia will face the Czechs at Hampden on Friday aiming to get their first points on the board and boss Zlatko Dalic wasn't disheartened in defeat.

Dalic said: "We don’t feel bad and feel negative. We have the right to be optimistic and we are looking forward to our two upcoming matches.

"We are going to try to do what we aim to do and that is move on to the next phases."