Sebastien Pocognoli, the newly appointed manager of the Scotland national team, has unveiled his first selection for the upcoming Nations League fixtures, and the list features a notable influx of newcomers. Among the debutants are Sevilla forward Robbie Ure and Danish SuperLiga defender Luis Binks, who will both receive their first full international caps under the Belgian coach.
The squad also includes Celtic centre‑back Colby Donovan, Hearts winger Josh McPake and Swansea City midfielder Stephen Welsh, each of whom has earned a maiden call‑up. Their inclusion signals Pocognoli's intention to blend youthful energy with seasoned experience as he seeks to implement a new playing philosophy. A long‑awaited return is also on the cards for Hull City striker Oli McBurnie, who last represented Scotland in 2021. After a period of criticism and injury setbacks, the 27‑year‑old forward has finally been recalled, offering the team a proven goal‑scoring option at the heart of the attack.
Goalkeeping duties will be shared between veteran Scott Bain and the promising Jon McCracken, who replace long‑time stalwart Craig Gordon following his retirement after the World Cup. Their presence provides both stability and a glimpse of the next generation between the sticks. Napoli midfielder Billy Gilmour is back after a knee injury forced him to withdraw from Steve Clarke's final squad.
Gilmour’s technical ability and composure on the ball will be valuable assets as Scotland aims to transition to a more possession‑based style. Luke Graham, a Stoke City defender who impressed during Scotland's pre‑World Cup training camp in May, has earned a place thanks to his breakthrough season with Dundee. Graham has featured in every minute of Stoke's recent run of three wins and a draw in the Championship, showcasing his defensive reliability and versatility.
Additional recalls include Sassuolo full‑backs Josh Doig and Kieron Bowie, Udinese midfielder Lennon Miller, and Hearts attacker James Wilson. Their performances in Italy and Scotland’s domestic league have convinced the new boss that they can contribute at the international level.
However, several key players will miss out. Napoli’s Scott McTominay is sidelined while recovering from a minor heart procedure, and Rangers striker Lawrence Shankland is dealing with a hamstring injury.
Torino forward Che Adams is also unavailable due to fitness concerns. In total, twelve members of the World Cup‑bound squad have been omitted from Pocognoli’s first selection. Other notable absences include 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 captain of Brøndby, brings a unique background: he represented Scotland at under‑18 level before switching allegiance to England’s youth teams. His experience in the Danish league and his leadership qualities earned him a spot in the defensive line‑up. Robbie Ure, a product of the Rangers academy, secured a high‑profile move to La Liga side Sevilla after a prolific stint with Swedish club Sirius, where he scored 20 goals in as many games. The 22‑year‑old is also eligible to play for Ukraine through a grandparent, but has chosen to pursue his international career with Scotland.
Josh McPake’s inclusion rewards his impressive form since joining Hearts from St Johnstone in the summer. His pace and creativity on the wing have made him a key figure in the Hearts attack. Stephen Welsh, meanwhile, earned his place after a successful loan spell at Motherwell from Celtic, demonstrating his ability to adapt to different tactical systems. Right‑back Colby Donovan has been ever‑present for Celtic this season and replaces his club teammate Anthony Ralston in the national squad, highlighting Pocognoli’s preference for players who are consistently performing at a high level.
The full roster, as announced, 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 in a press conference: "The most important factor for me is the style of play I want to see on the pitch. My focus has been to choose players who fit that vision. I could have named many more, but I had to make difficult decisions based on form, fitness and tactical suitability. The squad blends experienced campaigners with fresh faces, and I hope the new players will embrace the heritage and culture of Scottish football while adding their own energy.
This is the start of a new chapter; what happened before is history, and now we build something different." Former Scotland striker James McFadden, speaking to Sky Sports, praised Ure’s rise: "Robbie was on our radar after his spectacular season in Sweden, but he missed the World Cup squad. His move to Sevilla proves he can compete at the highest level.
He’s taken an unconventional path, and his bravery in moving abroad deserves respect." Regarding McBurnie’s recall, McFadden added: "Oli has earned this chance. He’s faced criticism over the years, but his determination to represent Scotland has never wavered. After working hard on his game and returning to the Premier League, he deserves a look at the number nine role." Scotland’s upcoming fixtures in the Nations League are set for September and October, with matches against Slovenia, Switzerland, and North Macedonia. The squad will travel to Slovenia on September 26, host Switzerland on September 29, face North Macedonia on October 3, and then host Slovenia again on October 6.
Additional games against North Macedonia and Switzerland are scheduled for November 13 and 16 respectively. Fans are encouraged to follow Sky Sports on WhatsApp for the latest updates, video highlights, analysis and more. The organization also promotes a Super 6 competition offering a chance to win £1 million, with free entry for participants.