In his first selection as the head coach of the Scottish national team, Sebastien Pocognoli has handed out five maiden full‑international call‑ups, signalling a fresh direction for the side. Among the newcomers are Sevilla forward Robbie Ure and Danish SuperLiga defender Luis Binks, who captains Brondby. The trio is joined by Celtic's versatile right‑back Colby Donovan, Hearts winger Josh McPake and Swansea City midfielder Stephen Welsh, all of whom have earned their first senior caps ahead of the upcoming Nations League fixtures.
The squad also features a long‑awaited return for Hull City striker Oli McBurnie, who last appeared for Scotland in 2021. His recall follows a productive spell back in the English Championship and a resurgence in form that convinced Pocognoli he deserves another chance at the international level. Goalkeeping duties will be shared between veteran Scott Bain and promising youngster Jon McCracken after veteran Craig Gordon announced his retirement following the World Cup. Napoli’s dynamic midfielder Billy Gilmour is back in the fold after a knee injury forced him out of Steve Clarke’s final squad.
Gilmour’s technical ability and composure on the ball have been highlighted as key assets for Pocognoli’s envisioned style of play. In addition, Stoke City defender Luke Graham, who impressed during Scotland’s pre‑World Cup training camp in May and enjoyed a breakthrough season with Dundee, has earned a place in the 26‑man roster. Graham has already accumulated three caps at under‑21 level and has been an ever‑present figure for the Potters as they recorded three wins and a draw in their last four Championship matches.
Further additions include Serie A duo Josh Doig and Kieron Bowie, both plying their trade at Sassolo, Udinese’s promising youngster Lennon Miller, and Hearts attacker James Wilson, who have all been recalled to add depth across the midfield and forward lines. Notably absent is Napoli midfielder Scott McTominay, who is currently recovering from a minor heart operation, and Rangers striker Lawrence Shankland, who is sidelined with a hamstring injury.
Torino forward Che Adams also misses out due to fitness concerns. Overall, twelve players who featured at the World Cup are missing from Pocognoli’s inaugural list, underscoring the coach’s willingness to overhaul the squad. Among those omitted are Rangers centre‑back John Souttar, Celtic’s Anthony Ralston, Hibernian defender Grant Hanley, Wrexham midfielder Dominic Hyam, Manchester United youngster Tyler Fletcher, Millwall’s Lyndon Dykes, Stoke forward George Hirst and Swansea striker Ross Stewart.
Luis Binks, the 25‑year‑old Brondby captain, brings a blend of Scottish youth‑team experience and English academy training, having represented Scotland at under‑18 level before switching allegiance to England’s youth sides. Robbie Ure, a former Rangers academy product, secured a high‑profile transfer to La Liga side Sevilla after a prolific stint with Swedish club Sirius, where he netted 20 goals in 20 appearances. The 22‑year‑old also qualifies for Ukraine through a grand‑parental link, adding an intriguing eligibility narrative to his profile.
Josh McPake’s inclusion rewards his impressive form since moving from St Johnstone to Hearts in the summer, while Stephen Welsh earns his spot after a successful loan spell at Motherwell from Celtic last season. Colby Donovan, a stalwart in Celtic’s back line this term, replaces his club teammate Anthony Ralston, reflecting Pocognoli’s focus on defensive reliability. The full squad breakdown is as follows: Goalkeepers: Scott Bain (Falkirk), Angus Gunn (San Jose Earthquakes), Liam Kelly (Rangers), Jon McCracken (Bradford City) Defenders: Luis Binks (Brondby), Josh Doig (Sassuolo), Colby Donovan (Celtic), Luke Graham (Stoke City), Jack Hendry (Al‑Ettifaq), Aaron Hickey (Brentford), Scott McKenna (Dinamo Zagreb), Nathan Patterson (Torino), Andy Robertson (Tottenham), Kieran Tierney (Celtic), Stephen Welsh (Swansea City) Midfielders: Ryan Christie (Bournemouth), Lewis Ferguson (Bologna), Billy Gilmour (Napoli), John McGinn (Aston Villa), Kenny McLean (Norwich City), Josh McPake (Hearts), Lennon Miller (Udinese) Forwards: Kieron Bowie (Sassuolo), Findlay Curtis (Rangers), Ben Gannon‑Doak (Bournemouth), Oli McBurnie (Hull City), Robbie Ure (Sevilla), James Wilson (Hearts) Pocognoli addressed the media after unveiling his list, emphasizing that his primary concern is the style of football he wishes to implement.
He explained, “The most important factor for me is the type of play I want to see on the pitch. My selections have been guided by that principle.
I could have added many more names, but I had to make tough choices based on the system we aim to adopt, injury status, and recent playing time.” He added that the blend of seasoned veterans, fresh faces, and returning players would help preserve Scotland’s footballing DNA while fostering a new chapter. Former Scotland striker James McFadden, speaking to Sky Sports News, praised the inclusion of Robbie Ure, noting his standout performances in Sweden that caught the eye before the World Cup. McFadden highlighted Ure’s bold move to Sevilla as evidence of his capability to compete at the highest level, and he lauded the player’s courage in carving an unconventional career path abroad.
Regarding Oli McBurnie’s recall, McFadden said, “Oli deserves this opportunity. He’s endured criticism over the past few years, but his passion for wearing the Scottish shirt has never wavered. After working hard on his game and returning to the Premier League, he now has a real chance to claim the number nine role.” The upcoming Nations League schedule sees Scotland facing Slovenia on 26 September at 14:00, Switzerland on 29 September at 19:45, North Macedonia on 3 October at 19:45, a return fixture with Slovenia on 6 October at 19:45, another clash with North Macedonia on 13 November at 19:45, and finally Switzerland again on 16 November at 19:45.
Fans are encouraged to follow Sky Sports on WhatsApp for the latest updates, video highlights, and in‑depth analysis as the new era under Pocognoli unfolds. In summary, Sebastien Pocognoli’s inaugural Scotland squad blends youthful vigor with experienced steadiness, reflecting a clear strategic shift toward a cohesive, style‑driven approach. The inclusion of five debutants—Ure, Binks, Donovan, McPake and Welsh—alongside the return of seasoned professionals like McBurnie and Gilmour, sets the stage for a compelling campaign in the Nations League and beyond.