It's not looking good, Australia

Holger Osieck's Socceroos played one of their worst games in years and crashed 3-1 to an ordinary Scotland side that was made to look far stronger than it actually is.

The Roos were rugged and sloppy throughout the match in Edinburgh that was supposed to give the coach some indications as to the overall strength of his squad.

Forget the depth, his starting 11 did not exactly put on a show to remember.

They were suspect in the centre of defence and on the flanks, gave the ball away far too often in midfield and the attack was subsequently starved of good service.

The left-back role in particular is still causing the team plenty of grief but it would be grossly unfair to single out David Carney when the whole team made so many mistakes.

The Scots must have done their homework on playmaker Mark Bresciano and did not give him too much room in which to weave his intricate patterns.

He capped his international revival with a goal of supreme technical quality to give his side the lead against the run of play.

Unfortunately, he went off injured during the break and the team lost any semblance of composure and cohesion it might have enjoyed in patches in the first half.

Bresciano's gem turned out to be a false dawn for Australia.

In no time the sprightly Scots were back on level terms before they legitimised their complete domination with two avoidable goals in the second half.

First debutant substitute Jason Davidson conceded an own goal with an ill-directed header and then the usually reliable Sasa Ognenovski mistimed a tackle that gave Ross McCormack the chance to seal the win.

Australia has now failed to win any of its last four matches, which must be of major concern to Osieck.

The last time his men came out winners was in the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Saudi Arabia in Melbourne.

Then came a 2-0 defeat to Denmark, two World Cup qualifying draws with Oman and Japan and now this setback against the Scots.

Any coach would tell you that it's the performance not the result that matters most in friendly internationals … and the disorientated Roos got it wrong on both counts.

Perhaps we should all take a good look at the mirror and lower our great expectations on this side that has given us some memorable moments but is clearly past its peak.

We should recognise our team's limitations and realise that Australia is no Spain or Argentina and it is not blessed with the Iniestas, Xavis and Messis of this world.

Osieck's attitude thankfully is more positive than that of his predecessor Pim Verbeek but the quality of player at his disposal is not better.

Fox Sports commentator Andy Harper was incredibly kind to the Socceroos when he suggested during the match that Scotland was making Australia look second rate.

I thought the Australia team was second rate at the best of times … and I mean this with all respect.

Captain Lucas Neill said after the game that this might have been the kick in the bum Australia needed in view of the vital qualifying matches coming up.

He is dead right, of course.

The problem is that he said this a few times in recent times and the team has been unable to respond positively, except for a magnificent opening half against Japan in Brisbane in June.

So where to from here?

Under normal circumstances a match against Jordan would not have set any pulses racing within the football family.

But recent events have made this qualifier in Amman on 12 September a must-win affair.

There probably is no reason to panic yet but the alarm bells are ringing loudly and unless the Socceroos lift their game considerably they might be in for an unpleasant surprise.