FORMER Oxford United defender Matt Elliott is urging his Scotland teammates not to become too preoccupied by the threat of Ronaldo in their World Cup opener against Brazil tomorrow.

Yet boss Craig Brown is quietly confident that Scotland can surprise the World Cup favourites, claiming his team are peaking at just the right moment.

Elliott seems certain to be on the bench as Brown sticks by his regular back three of Colin Calderwood, Colin Hendrie and Christian Dailly.

He says: "Brazil's team is frightening really, when you look at their players. We'll try to be steady and see that happens. We might get a spanking, you don't know.

"On their day, they can beat anyone. They're certainly the most talented side. I don't think even the Germans would deny that.

"You think how do you cope with Ronaldo and you've got Bebeto or Rivaldo, and Edmundo's in behind. Juninho's not even involved, which says a lot."

Ronaldo, though, is the one the eyes of the world will be on.

"I watched him for Inter Milan in the UEFA Cup final," Ellliott said. "He wasn't bad at all!

"We were practising that bit of skill where he did a couple of turns and rolled his foot over. Some of the more skilful lads at Leicester were having a go and they couldn't quite fathom out how he did it at that pace." If Elliott comes on, he'll have to cope with Ronaldo's blistering pace and skills.

"All the lads at Leicester kept harping on about Ronaldo but I ignored it. I haven't made a special point of watching him because I don't think you could learn what he does anyway."

Brown believes his highly organised team can give Brazil plenty to think about and says he is taking with a pinch of salt coach Mario Zagallo's claim that he knows nothing about the Scotland side.

Brown declared: "Take it from me, we are not a million miles away from Brazil. Our players are experienced and if you look at our squad we have a team of winners.

"They are used to pressure games and big crowds. My team will not be unnerved by Brazil. The players aim to seize the chance with both hands and show they can play at the top level."

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