Sebastien Pocognoli, the freshly appointed manager of the Scotland national team, has unveiled his first selection, introducing five players who will earn their maiden full international caps. Among the newcomers are Sevilla striker Robbie Ure and Luis Binks, the captain of Danish SuperLiga side Brøndby, both of whom have attracted attention with their recent performances. The list also features Celtic's versatile defender Colby Donovan, Hearts winger Josh McPake, and Swansea City midfielder Stephen Welsh. These three have been rewarded for their consistent displays at club level and will join the squad for the upcoming Nations League fixtures.
A notable return is Hull City forward Oli McBurnie, who has been recalled after a prolonged absence; his last appearance for Scotland came in 2021. McBurnie's resurgence has been welcomed by fans who remember his earlier contributions to the national side. Goalkeeping duties will be shared between seasoned international Scott Bain and the younger Jon McCracken, both back in the fold after veteran Craig Gordon announced his retirement following the World Cup campaign.
Napoli midfielder Billy Gilmour also makes a comeback after a knee injury forced him out of Steve Clarke's final squad. Gilmour's recovery has been closely monitored, and his inclusion signals confidence in his fitness and ability to contribute in midfield. 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 25‑man roster.
The Stoke City defender, a three‑time under‑21 international, has been a key figure for his club, playing every minute as they secured three victories and a draw in their last four Championship matches. Additional recalls include Sassuolo duo Josh Doig and Kieron Bowie, Udinese prospect Lennon Miller, and Hearts attacker James Wilson.
Their performances in Serie A and the Italian Serie B have demonstrated the depth of talent available to Pocognoli. Unfortunately, several players will miss out due to injury or other circumstances. Napoli's Scott McTominay is sidelined while recovering from minor heart surgery, Rangers striker Lawrence Shankland is dealing with a hamstring problem, and Torino forward Che Adams is also out injured.
In total, twelve members of the World Cup‑qualified squad are absent from the new list. 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 forward Ross Stewart. Their omission reflects the manager's emphasis on a specific playing style rather than purely on experience.
Luis Binks, at 25, brings a unique background: he represented Scotland at under‑18 level before switching allegiance to England’s youth teams. His leadership at Brøndby and his defensive versatility make him a valuable addition to the back line. Robbie Ure, a former Rangers academy product, secured a high‑profile transfer to La Liga side Sevilla after a prolific spell with Swedish club Sirius, where he scored 20 goals in as many games.
The 22‑year‑old also qualifies for Ukraine through a grand‑parent rule, highlighting his multicultural eligibility. Josh McPake earned his call‑up after a standout season with Hearts, following a summer move from St Johnstone.
His pace and creativity on the wing have been instrumental in Hearts' attacking play. Stephen Welsh, meanwhile, impressed during a loan stint at Motherwell from Celtic last season and now returns to the national team after a strong campaign with Swansea City. Right‑back Colby Donovan has been a mainstay in Celtic’s defense this season, appearing in every league match. His consistency earned him a spot ahead of teammate Anthony Ralston, underscoring Pocognoli’s preference for players who fit his tactical blueprint.
The full goalkeeper roster includes Scott Bain (Falkirk), Angus Gunn (San Jose Earthquakes), Liam Kelly (Rangers) and Jon McCracken (Bradford City). The defensive line features 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) and Stephen Welsh (Swansea City). Midfield options comprise Ryan Christie (Bournemouth), Lewis Ferguson (Bologna), Billy Gilmour (Napoli), John McGinn (Aston Villa), Kenny McLean (Norwich City), Josh McPake (Hearts) and Lennon Miller (Udinese).
Up front, the attacking unit includes Kieron Bowie (Sassuolo), Findlay Curtis (Rangers), Ben Gannon‑Doak (Bournemouth), Oli McBurnie (Hull City), Robbie Ure (Sevilla) and James Wilson (Hearts). Pocognoli addressed the media after announcing his squad, emphasizing his vision for the team's playing style. He said, "The most important factor for me is the style of football I want to see on the pitch.
My selections have been guided by that principle. I could have named many more players, but I had to make tough choices based on how they fit into the system, their fitness and recent playing time." He continued, "We have a balanced mix of seasoned internationals, fresh faces, first‑cap players and young talents returning from injury. The goal is to blend the DNA, heritage and culture of Scottish football with a new tactical identity.
This is the start of a new chapter; what happened before belongs to the past. Now we build something different." Former Scotland striker James McFadden, speaking to Sky Sports News, praised Ure’s inclusion.
"Robbie has been on our radar for a while, especially after his impressive spell in Sweden before the World Cup. His move to Sevilla proves he can perform at a high level. Scotland has lacked depth in that position for years, and his unconventional path shows his determination and bravery," McFadden remarked.
Regarding McBurnie's recall, McFadden added, "Oli deserves this chance. He's faced criticism in recent years, but his passion for wearing the Scotland shirt is evident.
He's worked hard, returned to the Premier League, and now has the opportunity to stake his claim as the national team's number nine." The upcoming Nations League schedule sees Scotland facing Slovenia on September 26 (2 pm), Switzerland on September 29 (7.45 pm), North Macedonia on October 3 (7.45 pm), Slovenia again on October 6 (7.45 pm), North Macedonia on November 13 (7.45 pm) and Switzerland on November 16 (7.45 pm). Fans are encouraged to follow Sky Sports on WhatsApp for the latest updates, video highlights and in‑depth analysis.
In summary, Sebastien Pocognoli's inaugural squad reflects a clear strategic direction: a blend of experience and youthful vigor, selected for their ability to execute a defined style of play. The inclusion of five debutants, the return of several seasoned professionals and the omission of others due to injury or tactical reasons all point toward a fresh start for Scotland as they aim to compete vigorously in the Nations League and beyond.