FORMER Celtic goalkeeper Javier Sanchez Broto has told France that they will need something special if they are to find a way past Iker Casillas.

The 31-year-old shotstopper is the most capped player of all-time for Spain and while the current World and European champions scraped through to the quarter-finals, Broto expects them to lift their game now.

Most money would be on Vicente del Bosque's side to ease their way past France tomorrow night, a theory Broto concurs with.

"Spain has a fabulous team at the minute," he said. "There is so much attention given to the flair players, but people forget that you need to have someone solid at the back.

"Casillas has been solid for Spain since he first went into the team.

"To me, he is the best goalkeeper in the world. I say that because he does the hardest thing of all well and that is have nothing much to do for long stretches in a game but still be able to remain concentrated and pull off a super save.

"That is a huge part of being a goalkeeper with a successful side and Casillas does it brilliantly.

"He is also one of these guys who stays very calm all the time; he doesn't get too carried away if the team are not playing well or if they are beating everyone in sight. He is level all the time."

While Spain haven't been quite as fluent as many would have expected so far, Broto has revealed that there is no let-up in the expectation levels in his homeland.

"It is difficult because in football nowadays everyone plays against one another often in the Champions League or Europa League," he said.

"Players watch one another on TV or play against them and so you learn the best way to play against someone.

"I don't know if it is a case that people are so familiar with this Spanish side that they feel they know the best way to go about beating them but I still think that Spain have the talent and ability to win it. Most Spaniards do.

"Everyone is driving around with flags on their cars, every bar and cafe has shown all the Euro 2012 games and there has been a great atmosphere when Spain have been playing.

"But people expect to see them hold aloft that trophy."

Broto would include himself in that category.

The Spaniard, who currently runs his own goalkeeping school, is due to head out to the finals should Spain get there.

"I'm a lucky guy because I am going to be there working at the final," he said. "And I think I'll see Spain win it."