Ronaldo, who yesterday was voted FIFA player of the year for the second year running, has warned his Brazilian team-mates that they are wrong to believe they will beat Scotland without being extended in the opening game of the World Cup finals.

The Inter Milan striker is convinced that complacency is the main threat to the defence of their title in France this summer.

''Underestimating our group opponents will be our biggest problem,'' he said. ''Most of the Brazilian players think we have been drawn in an easy group and that Scotland is a team they can beat without getting out of second gear.

''They regard Norway and Morocco in the same way, but not many of them know as much about European football as I do. I have seen enough of Scottish and Norwegian to realise that they will be difficult rivals.

''The 'never-give-up' mentality of the Scots is something I particularly admire and their standards are improving all the time. They are there at every World Cup, and I am aware that many of their players are selected from Rangers and Celtic.

''However, none of our group opponents is capable of producing the sensational.

''Italy, Argentina, and Germany are the ones who can raise their performances for the occasion. These three will present the greatest challenge to us.''

Raised in poverty in Bento Ribeiro, a village north of Rio, Ronaldo said: ''I have know pressure all my life, and moving to Barcelona and Italy has helped me cope even better. I will never allow myself to get carried away like Maradona and Romario.

''I rate Romario as one of the best players in football but he is not my example off the pitch. When I was a little boy, I survived too many hard times. I will never end up in the gutter. What I have achieved means too much to me.

''People believe it is easy for me to score but I put more work into my profession than is widely thought. For instance, I always study defenders to work on any weaknesses.

''Some of the Brazilian players have still to learn to deal with the massive expectations surrounding this World Cup. If we fail to defend our crown, it will cause a national crisis back home and for this reason I hope the Scots do not pull off a shock against us.

''I was bitterly disappointed not to appear for even a moment in the World Cup in the USA but I learned much from being a spec-tator there. It has made me hung-rier to make up for lost time.

''Brazil has a great team, which will score more goals than the last time. I am ready to do myself justice and make my contribution.''

Brazil achieved more victories than any other nation last year, winning 20 out of 24 games. Ronaldo delivered 19 goals in 20 outings.

qMOROCCO manager Henri Michel last night branded Scotland a ''kick and rush'' team as his team prepared for tonight's friendly with Angola.

In what can be viewed as the first obvious sign of psychological warfare, he said: ''Their whole game is based on kick and rush and they are a very physical side who use their strength to intimidate sides.''

Played last night

Tennents Scottish Cup

Second Round

Clydebank 6 (Brown, Murdoch pen, McWilliams, Ward pen, Nicolls, Lovering), Montrose 0.

Replays

Queen of the South 4 (Eadie, Bryce, Mallan, Townsley pen), Arbroath 0.

Edinburgh City 0, East Stirlingshire 0, after extra time. Edinburgh City won 4-3 on penalties.

Bell's Scottish League

Premier Division

St Johnstone 2 (Davidson, O'Boyle), Hearts 3 (Hamilton 2, Naysmith).

Reserve LEAGUE WEST

Stenhousemuir 3 (Trialist 2, Stewart), Falkirk 2 (Morrison 2).

Today's fixtures

Scottish League. First division - Hamilton v Ayr (7.30).

Second division - Clyde v Stranraer (7.30).

Highland League - Fort William v Clachnacuddin (8.00).

Reserve League Cup - Celtic v Hibs (1.00).

Reserve League West - Queen's Park v Stirling Albion.

FA Cup. Third round - Bournemouth v Huddersfield, Cheltenham v Reading, Hereford v Tranmere, Peterborough v Walsall, West Brom v Stoke.

Replays - Bury v Sheffield United, Ipswich v Bristol Rovers, Middlesbrough v QPR, Wrexham v Wimbledon (7.30).

Auto Windscreens Shield North. Second round - Macclesfield v Preston, Burnley v Notts County, Wigan v Rotherham. South - Fulham v Wycombe, Luton v Brentford, Northampton v Torquay.

(Kick-offs 7.30 unless stated).

Ayr United manager Gordon Dalziel has been forced into major changes for tonight's re-scheduled clash with Hamilton.

United will be without the injured goalkeeper, David Castilla, Gary Bowman, Paul Bonner, and Luc Sonor, while both Darren Henderson and Jim Dick are suspended. Dalziel said: ''I will be giving youth a chance, for we have a number of bright prospects at the club.

''We are also thinking over our next moves to take the club to the next stage in our development.'' Seventeen-year-old Keith Hogg, who made his first appearance as a substitute on Saturday, and Gordon Burns are in line to play.

Hamilton have a full squad, but manager Sandy Clark stressed that this is an important week. Clark said: ''We had a great run at the start of the season, but now we are having a bad one.

''That has to change and we are working hard on it. As well as Ayr, we have Stirling on Saturday and we must look for all six points to push us back towards the top half of the table and stop our descent.''

Clyde, who have been without a home game for almost a month and need a financial boost, last night asked their fans to turn out for tonight's meeting with Stranraer. Manager Gardner Speirs said: ''After our idle spell, we are all anxious to get back to playing.

''The incentive is to get into the top three and then target a promotion place.'' However, striker Robert Scott will be missing with a knee injury.

Stranraer have problems, with Paul McIntyre still injured, John McCaffrey unable to play due to work commitments, and John McAulay suspended.