Scotland faced Norwary in Oslo last night and really needed to get something from this World Cup 2010 Qualifying match.
Instead despite an encouraging start they were finally thumped 4-0 playing most of the match with just 10 men.
The man sent off was Gary Caldwell, Steven’s brother. He picked up a second yellow for a foul on the dangerous Carew after 33 minutes having just seconds previously picking up a booking for a tackle on Morten Gamst Pedersen. A double blow followed for the Scots with John Arne Riise then scoring from the resulting free-kick from 30 yards out. The rifled free-flew past Marshall in the Scottish goal thanks to a deflection off Scott Brown.
Clarets centre back, Steven Caldwell up until the sending off had partnered his brother in the centre of defence but was having an equally torrid time trying to stop the impressive and pacy Aston Villa striker, John Carew.
Just six minutes before his brother was sent off, Steven Caldwell was lucky not to concede a penalty for a challenge that felled Carew.
A bad day for the Caldwells was complete though when brother Steven picked up a yellow card for tugging at Carew’s jersey. He then started to look a liability and rather than have Scotland reduced to nine men, Steven was replaced by McFadden just three minutes into the second half following a heavy tackle on Pedersen.
By that time though Scotland were already 2-0 down after Morten Gamst Pedersen had driven in the second on the stroke of half-time.
It was now all Norway and they went further ahead on 60 minutes with Erik Huseklepp turning in the third goal.
Another Clarets player, Graham Alexander was also playing for Scotland in the role that he made his own for Burnley last season. He was putting in a pretty decent performance in the holding midfield role but eventually found himself holding the fort at right back as George Burley brought on numerous substitutions to try and reduce the goal difference.
Sadly for Alexander, although it was contoversial he was responsible for a foul in the dying seconds of the match that led to another goal from a free kick with Pedersen firing in to earn a brace on the night.
The 4-0 tonking leaves Scotland with a lot to do to qualify for the World Cup and with goal difference likely to decide things, it was a disastrous night for the Scots.
Holland of course have already qualified in first place leaving FYR Macedonia in second and Scotland in third both on seven points to now fight it out with Norway on six points for the second qualifying spot. All three sides have just two matches to play. Iceland prop up the table on 4 points having played one game more.
We had one other player on Scottish International duty last night, Steven Fletcher. The striker was on the bench but did not come on during the match so at least he should be fresh and fit for the Saturday game in uur Premier League openner against Stoke at the Britannia.
One other Clarets player also featured for their country last night. Martin Paterson was named as a substitute for Northern Ireland in their friendly against Israel. He came on to replace Healy after 59 minutes with the game at 1-1 following one goal by either side in the first half.
He partnered former Clarets striker, Kyle Lafferty up front but there was no further goals in the game and it finished 1-1.
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