Introduction
Sébastien Pocognoli is preparing to begin a new chapter in Scotland’s football history, with the Belgian head coach facing his first competitive match in charge of the national team.
Scotland travel to Slovenia on September 26 for their opening UEFA Nations League Group B1 fixture, with Pocognoli’s first selection already generating plenty of discussion about how the new manager will shape his side.
The former Scotland boss Steve Clarke left the position after the 2026 FIFA World Cup, bringing an end to a seven-year period that included qualification for the European Championship and Scotland’s return to the World Cup. Pocognoli has now been tasked with developing the team further while introducing his own footballing ideas.
His first squad contains a mixture of established international players, returning names and several players who have never represented Scotland at senior level.
Seven players in the original 28-man squad were uncapped, while 14 players had not been part of Scotland’s World Cup squad.
That combination gives Pocognoli plenty of options, but it also creates difficult decisions when it comes to selecting his starting XI.
Pocognoli Begins With a Fresh Approach
Pocognoli was appointed Scotland head coach in August 2026 after previously working at Union Saint-Gilloise and Monaco.
The 39-year-old Belgian arrives with a reputation for developing an attacking approach and has already spoken about the importance of evolving Scotland while building on the foundations established under Clarke.
His first squad suggests that he is prepared to give opportunities to younger players.
At the same time, Pocognoli has not completely abandoned experience.
Andy Robertson remains captain, John McGinn continues to provide midfield experience and players such as Ryan Christie, Jack Hendry and Scott McKenna remain available.
The challenge is finding the right balance.
Scotland’s Nations League Schedule
The Nations League provides Pocognoli with an immediate test because Scotland have four matches during the September and October international period.
The campaign begins away against Slovenia on September 26.
Scotland then return home to face Switzerland at Hampden on September 29 before travelling to North Macedonia on October 3.
The four-game sequence concludes with another match against Slovenia in Glasgow on October 6.
This schedule gives Pocognoli an opportunity to experiment, but it also means that Scotland cannot afford to treat the opening matches simply as preparation games.
Competitive results will matter from the beginning.
Angus Gunn Could Remain First Choice
The goalkeeper position is one of the areas where Pocognoli has not introduced a completely new option.
Angus Gunn remains part of the squad and has established himself as one of Scotland’s senior goalkeeping choices.
The San Jose Earthquakes goalkeeper has 25 Scotland caps and possesses considerably more international experience than Jon McCracken, who has been brought back into the squad after impressing with Bradford City.
Scott Bain and Liam Kelly also provide alternatives.
However, Gunn could be the most logical starting option for Pocognoli’s first competitive match because of his experience.
A new manager often wants stability in certain positions while making changes elsewhere.
Keeping Gunn behind a relatively new defence could therefore give Scotland an experienced presence in goal.
A Refreshed Defence Could Be the Biggest Change
Defence is where Pocognoli’s selection creates perhaps the most interesting questions.
The manager has introduced several new faces, including Stephen Welsh, Luis Binks and Colby Donovan.
Luke Graham has also been included after previously impressing while training with the senior squad.
At the same time, Scotland still have established defenders such as Andy Robertson, Jack Hendry, Aaron Hickey and Scott McKenna.
The biggest problem for Pocognoli is that Kieran Tierney has withdrawn from the squad because of injury.
Tierney’s absence removes an experienced option from the left side of the defence and could force Pocognoli to reconsider his preferred defensive structure.
Andy Robertson Remains a Key Figure
Andy Robertson is likely to remain one of the first names on the teamsheet.
The Tottenham Hotspur defender has been one of Scotland’s most important players for several years and is approaching a major international milestone.
Robertson entered the latest camp with 97 Scotland caps.
His leadership will be particularly important during Pocognoli’s opening matches because several younger players are being introduced to the senior team.
Robertson can provide experience while also helping the new manager communicate his ideas on the pitch.
If Scotland use a system involving attacking full-backs, Robertson’s ability to contribute in possession could also make him particularly important.
Who Could Play Alongside Robertson?
The absence of Tierney creates uncertainty on the opposite side of the defence.
Josh Doig is one of the candidates.
The Sassuolo defender has been included in Pocognoli’s squad and could provide a more natural left-sided option.
Aaron Hickey is another possibility.
Nathan Patterson can also play on either side of the defence and has experience at international level.
Pocognoli therefore has several solutions, although each would give Scotland slightly different qualities.
Doig could offer youthful energy, while an experienced defender such as Hickey or Patterson could provide greater familiarity with international football.
Central Defence Offers New Possibilities
The centre-back positions could see one of the most noticeable changes.
Jack Hendry and Scott McKenna have significant Scotland experience, but Pocognoli has also selected Luis Binks and Stephen Welsh.
Binks is the captain of Danish club Brondby and has previously represented Scotland at youth level.
Welsh has earned his first senior call-up after starting the season strongly with Swansea City.
Luke Graham is another younger defensive option.
Pocognoli therefore has the opportunity to introduce a new centre-back while retaining one of the experienced players alongside him.
A partnership involving Hendry and Binks would provide experience and a new option.
Alternatively, Welsh could be given an opportunity to make his international debut.
Could Stephen Welsh Make His Scotland Debut?
Stephen Welsh is one of the players attracting considerable attention.
The Swansea City defender has been rewarded for his performances at club level and has previously captained Scotland’s Under-21 team.
A senior debut against Slovenia would represent an important moment in his career.
Pocognoli has shown through his squad selection that he is willing to consider younger players, and Welsh could therefore be one of the first beneficiaries of the new manager’s approach.
However, starting a player in his first senior international match away from home is a significant decision.
Pocognoli could choose experience for the opening fixture and introduce Welsh later in the campaign.
Midfield May Contain More Familiar Names
While the defence has received a significant refresh, Scotland’s midfield contains several established players.
John McGinn remains central to the team.
The Aston Villa midfielder recently became the club’s leading European goalscorer, adding another notable achievement to his career.
Ryan Christie also provides experience and technical ability.
Lewis Ferguson has established himself in Serie A with Bologna, while Billy Gilmour is back after missing the World Cup through injury.
Lennon Miller and Josh McPake provide younger alternatives.
This combination gives Pocognoli several ways to construct his midfield.
Billy Gilmour’s Return Is Significant
Billy Gilmour’s return could be one of the most important developments for Scotland.
The Napoli midfielder missed the World Cup after suffering an injury against Curaçao.
He returned to action with his club and recently scored a spectacular goal during Napoli’s 1-1 draw with Fiorentina.
His performance also earned him man-of-the-match recognition.
Gilmour’s ability to receive the ball under pressure and move possession through midfield could suit Pocognoli’s approach.
The Scotland manager may see him as an important link between defence and attack.
If Gilmour starts against Slovenia, his return would immediately give the midfield a player who can control the tempo.
The Absence of Scott McTominay Changes Things
Scott McTominay is one of the most notable absentees.
The Napoli midfielder underwent a medical procedure and was not available for Pocognoli’s first squad.
McTominay has been an important player for Scotland and has contributed goals as well as physical strength in midfield.
His absence means Pocognoli must find another way to replace those qualities.
John McGinn can provide attacking energy and experience, while Gilmour can offer technical control.
Lewis Ferguson could also provide physical presence and defensive discipline.
The midfield combination will therefore be closely watched.
The Return of Oli McBurnie Adds Experience
Up front, Pocognoli has another interesting option in Oli McBurnie.
The Hull City striker has returned to the Scotland squad for the first time since 2021.
McBurnie enjoyed an impressive season as Hull secured promotion to the Premier League, scoring 18 goals during the campaign and netting the decisive goal in the play-off final against Middlesbrough.
His physical presence gives Scotland a different attacking option.
McBurnie can provide a target for crosses and long passes while also creating space for quicker attacking players.
Whether Pocognoli immediately selects him is another question.
Robbie Ure Is One of the Biggest New Names
Robbie Ure is perhaps the most intriguing new attacking selection.
The striker scored 20 goals in 20 games for Swedish club Sirius before earning a summer move to Sevilla for a reported £5.5 million.
He has now been handed his first Scotland senior call-up.
Ure’s inclusion suggests Pocognoli is thinking beyond the immediate future.
Giving a young striker senior experience could help Scotland develop another option in attack.
However, the pressure of making an international debut away from home means Pocognoli may decide to introduce Ure gradually.
What About Kieron Bowie?
Kieron Bowie is another young attacking player in the squad.
The Sassuolo forward has been involved in Scotland’s development pathway and provides Pocognoli with pace and attacking movement.
Bowie could be particularly useful if Scotland want to transition quickly from defence to attack.
Rather than playing through a traditional target striker, Pocognoli could choose a more mobile forward line.
That would allow Scotland to use pace in behind the opposition defence.
Ben Gannon-Doak Could Provide Width
Ben Gannon-Doak is another player capable of changing the shape of Scotland’s attack.
The Bournemouth winger can operate from wide positions and is known for direct attacking play.
His ability to carry the ball forward could be valuable against teams that defend deeply.
Pocognoli has several wide options, meaning the final attacking structure may depend heavily on the tactical system selected.
A 4-3-3 formation, for example, could allow Scotland to use two wide forwards around a central striker.
Could Pocognoli Use a 4-3-3?
A 4-3-3 formation would make sense if Pocognoli wants to introduce a more attacking style while maintaining midfield control.
A possible structure could include:
Goalkeeper: Angus Gunn
Defenders: Nathan Patterson, Jack Hendry, Scott McKenna, Andy Robertson
Midfielders: Billy Gilmour, John McGinn, Ryan Christie
Attackers: Ben Gannon-Doak, Oli McBurnie, Kieron Bowie
This is only a potential line-up, rather than a confirmed team.
Pocognoli could make significant changes before kick-off depending on training, fitness and tactical considerations.
A 3-4-3 Formation Is Another Possibility
Pocognoli’s coaching background also leaves open the possibility of a back three.
A 3-4-3 system could allow Robertson and another player to operate as wing-backs while giving Scotland an additional central defender.
That approach could also provide greater defensive security against Slovenia.
The system would require Scotland’s midfielders to cover large areas and the wing-backs to contribute heavily in attack.
Robertson’s experience could make him well suited to such a role.
However, whether Pocognoli wants to change Scotland’s defensive structure immediately remains uncertain.
Why the First Match Will Be Important
The Slovenia game will provide the first real evidence of Pocognoli’s footballing philosophy.
Training sessions can reveal tactical ideas, but competitive matches show how those ideas work under pressure.
Scotland supporters will be watching for several things.
Will the team build patiently from defence?
Will the full-backs attack?
Will Gilmour control midfield?
Will McGinn operate higher up the pitch?
Will Scotland use a traditional striker or a more mobile front three?
These questions could begin to receive answers in Ljubljana.
The Importance of the Nations League
The Nations League provides a useful competitive environment for Pocognoli.
Unlike friendly matches, Nations League games carry meaningful results and points.
At the same time, the competition gives a new manager several matches together with his squad.
Four games in a relatively short period can help Pocognoli identify which players fit his tactical ideas.
The manager may also use the first two matches to establish a core team before experimenting further.
Young Players Could Benefit From the New Era
One of the most notable features of Pocognoli’s first squad is the number of players who are still eligible for Under-21 football.
The Scottish FA has highlighted the future-oriented nature of the selection.
Players such as Stephen Welsh, Colby Donovan, Robbie Ure and others now have an opportunity to move closer to regular senior international football.
This could create stronger competition within the squad.
Established players cannot assume that their positions are guaranteed if younger alternatives continue to develop.
That competitive environment could benefit Scotland over the longer term.
Experience Still Matters
Despite the emphasis on new players, Pocognoli has not selected a squad dominated by youth.
Robertson, McGinn, Christie, Hendry and McKenna provide significant international experience.
That balance is important.
Young players can bring energy and new ideas, but experienced players can help manage difficult moments during competitive matches.
Pocognoli’s challenge is to combine both groups effectively.
His comments about finding a good mixture of youth and experience reflect the structure of his first selection.
The Four-Match Window Could Reveal Pocognoli’s Preferred XI
It would be premature to assume that the team selected against Slovenia will become Pocognoli’s first-choice XI for the rest of the Nations League.
The manager has four matches during the opening period.
Injuries, performances and tactical experiments can all influence his decisions.
A player who starts one match could move to the bench in the next.
Another player could make an impact as a substitute and earn a starting opportunity.
This flexibility is especially important during a managerial transition.
What Scotland Fans Can Expect
Pocognoli has already indicated that he wants Scotland to develop an exciting style and create a strong connection with supporters.
That ambition will be tested immediately.
The new manager is inheriting a team that recently competed at the World Cup but is also beginning a new cycle.
The balance between maintaining continuity and introducing change will be central to his early months.
Supporters can therefore expect a Scotland side that may look familiar in certain areas but noticeably different in others.
A New Era Begins in Slovenia
The match against Slovenia represents more than the start of another Nations League campaign.
It is the first competitive match of the Pocognoli era.
The Belgian manager has selected a squad that combines established internationals with emerging talent.
The defence has received several new options, midfield has gained the return of Billy Gilmour, and the attack includes promising players such as Robbie Ure and Ben Gannon-Doak.
At the same time, injuries to important players including Kieran Tierney, Kenny McLean and Scott McTominay have complicated the selection process.
Pocognoli therefore faces several immediate decisions.
Conclusion
Sébastien Pocognoli’s first Scotland squad has created genuine competition for places across the pitch.
Angus Gunn appears to have a strong claim in goal, while Andy Robertson remains an obvious leadership figure in defence. The centre-back positions offer a choice between experience and new talent, with Stephen Welsh and Luis Binks among the players hoping to make their senior debuts.
Midfield could be built around experienced figures such as John McGinn and Ryan Christie, while Billy Gilmour’s return provides another important option.
Up front, Pocognoli has several possibilities, including the experienced Oli McBurnie and emerging forwards such as Robbie Ure and Kieron Bowie.
The exact starting XI remains uncertain, and Pocognoli may use the opening Nations League fixtures to test different combinations.
What is clear is that Scotland are entering a new phase.
The manager has already shown a willingness to introduce new players while maintaining a core of experienced internationals. His biggest challenge will be turning that mixture into a coherent team capable of competing in the Nations League.
The opening match against Slovenia will provide the first competitive glimpse of what Scotland under Pocognoli might look like.
For supporters, the most interesting question is no longer simply who will be selected.
It is how the new manager will make Scotland’s mixture of experience and youth work together on the international stage.