Norwegian striker Ole Gunnar Solksjaer last night dismissed Scotland's World Cup bid, saying Craig Brown's men were not as good as his side.
The Manchester United player was delighted to be pooled in Group A with Brazil, Morocco and Scotland. Solksjaer is convinced the draw has given his nation the perfect opportunity to progress in France 98.
He said: ''I really hoped we would draw either England, because I play my club football there, or Brazil.
''We've landed Brazil and that is tremendous because it's always nice to play against the best sides in the world and they fall into that category.
''We may not be able to beat them, but I feel confident we can be placed second in the group.
''I think it is quite possible for us to beat Scotland and Morocco because, quite simply, neither of them are as good as Norway.''
Solksjaer's United team-mate Henning Berg was also happy to have drawn the Scots, feeling the group is between his nation and Brazil.
Berg said: ''Brazil are a very good side. We beat them recently, so they will be fired up to beat us.
''But I think playing them in the third group game is good because if we do our job against Scotland and Morocco, we'll have nothing to worry about going into the game.''
Chelsea striker Tor Andre Flo added: ''I do not expect us to win against Brazil and it is important to do our job before that game.
''I believe we are well capable of doing that and I am convinced we can finish second in the group.''
q RUUD Gullit yesterday warned England not to get ''thick-headed'' by celebrating the World Cup draw that has put Glenn Hoddle's squad in a so-called easy group against Romania, Colombia, and Tunisia.
Chelsea's Dutch master, already tipped as a likely target for Olympic champions Nigeria, who could offer him a short-term coaching job to cover the finals in France, said: ''Romania did very well in the last World Cup, so I don't see why you get the idea they will be easy.
''That's why I say don't get thick-headed. It is important to be humble and give every opponent full respect. Don't underestimate anyone.
''Football in general has improved so much in so many countries. Colombia have great talent also and the Africans are now very strong.''
Romania, who have Chelsea midfielder Dan Petrescu as a key player, have in fact reached the finals with the best record of all the qualifiers - winning nine games in their group and drawing the last one against the Republic of Ireland in Dublin when they were already assured of a place in France.
They reached the quarter finals at USA '94 and went out only on a penalty shoot-out against Sweden - which was also their fate in the last 16 against Ireland in Italy four years earlier.
Petrescu admits: ''We don't feel very lucky with the draw this time. Not many countries wanted to face England but, for me, Colombia are just as worrying because we play them in the first match and that is always a vital one which sets up the rest of the group.''
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