Burley suffers humiliation in Oslo

Instead, the 4-0 humbling by Norway last night saw them manage the feat of dropping a place when featuring in the only fixture taking place in qualifying Group 9.

Norway's own previously miserable form meant they could not overhaul Scotland, but Burley's side dropped below Macedonia on goal difference. That they are now three goals worse off than their next opponents at Hampden highlights just how comprehensive, and potentially damaging, this defeat was. As well as dropping a place to third, Scotland are now just a point in front of a revived Norway.

"It was a horrible result for us, but nothing changes," insisted Burley. "It is still in our hands. We have two games left and if we win them both we have a chance to qualify (for the play-offs]."

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Scotland's ambition to collect all three points was undermined by Gary Caldwell's red card after only 34 minutes. The Celtic defender had been booked by referee Alain Hamer just two minutes prior to the incident, for a foul on Morten Gamst Pedersen, who went on to score a double. "All our problems started with the sending off," said Burley. "From then it just went from bad to worse."

Brothers Gary and Steven Caldwell had received much of the pre-match attention and they shared the disappointment of seeing their evenings end prematurely. Steven, the Burnley centre-half, left the field just three minutes after half-time after injuring his groin. Wolves defender Christope Berra, who replaced Ross McCormack after Gary Caldwell's sending off as Burley tried to shore up the defence, had to be replaced himself having pulled a hamstring.

It means the players are already doubts for the now critical double-header with Macedonia and the Netherlands next month. With Gary Caldwell now absent due to suspension for the first game, against Macedonia, and Stephen McManus still sidelined due to injury, it leaves Burley with a problem in the centre of defence. David Weir, the 39-year-old who was left out of the squad by Burley on account of John Carew's threat, could be primed to return, if willing. "I spoke to David Weir (before the squad was announced]," said Burley. "He is available."

Burley bemoaned the loss of three centre-halves last night, and having to fill the two positions with five different players. Full-backs Alan Hutton and Steven Whittaker were occupying the berths when Norway scored their fourth goal, direct from a free-kick, at the end. "I can't remember a game where I've used five centre-halves and lost three of them," said Burley. "Everything that could have gone wrong went wrong – the decisions, the injuries." But he insists it was not a fatal blow: "You can't say it is a disaster, we still have a chance. It is still in our hands. Norway would like to be in our position."

Burley refused to condemn Gary Caldwell for the decision to tug back Carew as he bore down on goal. "Gary says he was getting his shirt tugged," he said. "I could see it clearly, the decision could have gone either way. I don't think the referee would have sent him off if he had known that he had booked him earlier. I thought we were handling John Carew well until the second half."

The manager claimed Scotland were the better side before being reduced to ten men, having created three half-chances. They were spurned by Kenny Miller, Darren Fletcher and Kris Commons, although in truth Norway had had their own chances to open the scoring before they did, via John Arne's Riise free-kick following Gary Caldwell's fateful foul on Carew.

"To lose a goal from the free-kick after the red card made it a difficult proposition, " he said. "Norway exploited it to their advantage."

Some fans called for the manager's head outside the Ullevaal Stadium, frustrated by both his team selection and the unfolding events.

Many of these circumstances were out of Burley's hands, but the manager faces a task to lift morale both on and off the field, and improve on a record of just two wins in nine games since he took over last year.