Sebastien Pocognoli, the freshly appointed manager of the Scotland national team, has unveiled his first selection for the upcoming Nations League fixtures, and the list is notable for the inclusion of several newcomers. Among the fresh faces are Sevilla striker Robbie Ure and Brøndby defender Luis Binks, both earning their first full international caps under the new coach.
The squad also features Celtic full‑back Colby Donovan, Hearts winger Josh McPake and Swansea City midfielder Stephen Welsh, each of whom has been rewarded with a senior call‑up for the first time. Their addition reflects Pocognoli's desire to blend youthful energy with experienced heads as he begins to shape his own footballing identity for Scotland. A long‑awaited return is also on the agenda for Hull City striker Oli McBurnie, who last wore the Scotland shirt in 2021. After a period of criticism and speculation about his future with the national side, the former Premier League forward has finally been recalled, giving him a chance to re‑establish himself at the senior level.
In goal, the veteran duo of Scott Bain and Jon McCracken have been reinstated following the retirement of Craig Gordon after the World Cup. Their presence provides a reliable safety net as Scotland looks to rebuild its defensive foundation. Midfield dynamo Billy Gilmour, who has been plying his trade at Napoli, makes a comeback after a knee injury forced him out of Steve Clarke's final squad. Gilmour’s return adds creativity and composure to the middle of the park, qualities that Pocognoli has highlighted as essential for his preferred style of play.
Stoke City centre‑back Luke Graham also earns a spot after impressing during Scotland's pre‑World Cup training camp in May and enjoying a breakthrough season with Dundee. Graham has already amassed three caps at under‑21 level and has been a stalwart for the Potters, featuring in every minute of their recent run of three wins and a draw in the Championship.
Other notable inclusions are Serie A side Sassuolo's Josh Doig and Kieron Bowie, Udinese midfielder Lennon Miller, and Hearts attacker James Wilson, all of whom have been recalled to add depth across the pitch. However, not everyone makes the cut.
Napoli midfielder Scott McTominay is sidelined as he recovers from minor heart surgery, while Rangers striker Lawrence Shankland misses out due to a hamstring injury. Torino forward Che Adams is also unavailable through injury.
In total, twelve players who featured at the World Cup have been omitted from Pocognoli's inaugural roster. Among those left out are Rangers centre‑back John Souttar, Celtic's Anthony Ralston, Hibernian defender Grant Hanley, Wrexham midfielder Dominic Hyam, Manchester United prospect Tyler Fletcher, Millwall's Lyndon Dykes, Stoke forward George Hirst and Swansea striker Ross Stewart. Luis Binks, the 25‑year‑old defender who captains Brøndby in the Danish SuperLiga, will lead the back line.
Binks previously represented Scotland at under‑18 level before switching allegiance to England’s youth teams, making his senior debut for Scotland a notable reversal. Robbie Ure, a former Rangers academy product, secured a high‑profile transfer to La Liga side Sevilla after an explosive season with Swedish club Sirius, where he netted an impressive 20 goals in as many games. The 22‑year‑old is also eligible for Ukraine through a grand‑parental connection, underscoring his multicultural background. Josh McPake’s inclusion rewards his form since moving to Hearts from St Johnstone during the summer, while Stephen Welsh earns his call‑up after a successful loan spell at Motherwell from Celtic last term.
Right‑back Colby Donovan, a mainstay in Celtic’s defence this season, replaces his club teammate Anthony Ralston in the national setup. 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 (Brøndby), 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 explained his selection philosophy after announcing the squad: "The most important factor for me is the style of play I want to implement on the pitch. My focus was to choose players who fit that vision.
I could have added many more names, but I had to make tough decisions based on the system, injuries and recent playing time. We have a balanced mix of seasoned campaigners, fresh talent, first‑cap players and those returning to the fold. The aim is to pass on the DNA, heritage and culture of Scottish football while embarking on a new chapter. The past is behind us; now we build something new.
It’s a fresh opportunity for many and a chance to prove ourselves both on and off the field." Former Scotland striker James McFadden weighed in on Sky Sports News, praising Ure’s rise: "Robbie Ure has been on our radar for his prolific spell in Sweden, especially leading up to the World Cup, but he missed out then. His move to Sevilla proves he can compete at the highest level. Scotland has struggled for depth in the forward line for years, and his inclusion adds much‑needed competition.
Robbie took an unconventional path, and his bravery to move abroad deserves respect." Regarding McBurnie’s recall, McFadden added: "Oli deserves this chance. There’s been a lot of backlash against him over the past few years, but his passion for Scotland is undeniable. He’s worked hard, regained form in the Premier League, and now has the opportunity to stake claim to the number nine shirt." Scotland’s upcoming fixtures in the Nations League and Euro qualifiers are highlighted, with matches against Slovenia, Switzerland and North Macedonia spread across September, October and November.
Fans are encouraged to follow Sky Sports on WhatsApp for the latest updates, video highlights and in‑depth analysis. In summary, Pocognoli’s inaugural Scotland squad blends youthful exuberance with experienced leadership, aiming to forge a new identity on the international stage.
The inclusion of five debutants—Ure, Binks, Donovan, McPake and Welsh—signals a commitment to nurturing talent while maintaining a competitive edge. As the team prepares for its upcoming matches, the Scottish football community will be watching closely to see how this fresh mix translates onto the pitch.