Liverpool cult hero Igor Biscan has been appointed as manager of Croatia U21

Former Liverpool midfielder Igor Biscan has been appointed as manager of Croatia U21.

The 41-year-old stepped down as coach of NK Rijeka last month after guiding the club to the Croatian Cup in the previous season.

"Croatia is an inexhaustible source of great talent and that is why I look forward to this challenge," Biscan told croatiaweek.com.

"We have a very good generation that can qualify for the Euros, and it certainly has players for the senior national team. Together with my staff, I will make every effort to achieve high goals."

The manager takes over from Nenad Gracan who was sacked following Croatia's defeat to Scotland in their opening Euro qualifying fixture.

Biscan moved to Liverpool in 2000 and enjoyed a successful career with the Reds winning the Champions League, the Super Cup, League Cup and the Charity Shield before leaving in the summer of 2005.

He then spent two seasons at Panathinaikos in Greece before returning home to Dinamo Zagreb.

After retiring in 2012, Biscan coached Croatian club Rudeš, where he took them to the second division title.

He later had more success with Slovenian club Olimpija Ljubljana, completing a league and cup double in the 2017/2018 season.

Croatia's football authorities are hoping Biscan can bring his knack of winning trophies to their young Croatian national side.