In a significant reshuffle for the national side, new manager Sebastien Pocognoli has announced his first selection for Scotland, featuring five players who will earn their first full international caps. Among the newcomers are Sevilla forward Robbie Ure and Danish SuperLiga defender Luis Binks, who captains Brøndby. The list also includes Celtic's versatile defender Colby Donovan, Hearts winger Josh McPake, and Swansea City midfielder Stephen Welsh, all of whom have been handed their maiden senior call‑ups ahead of the upcoming Nations League fixtures.
The squad also marks the long‑awaited return of Hull City striker Oli McBurnie, who last represented Scotland in 2021 and has now been recalled after a productive spell in the English Championship. Goalkeeping duties see the reinstatement of Scott Bain and Jon McCracken following veteran Craig Gordon’s retirement after the World Cup campaign.
Napoli midfielder Billy Gilmour is back in the fold after a knee injury forced him to withdraw from Steve Clarke’s final squad. Luke Graham, who impressed during Scotland’s pre‑World Cup training camp in May and enjoyed a breakthrough season with Dundee, has also earned a place. The Stoke City defender has already featured for Scotland’s under‑21 side three times and has been an ever‑present figure as his club secured three wins and a draw in their last four Championship matches. Additional recalls include Sassuolo duo Josh Doig and Kieron Bowie, Udinese’s Lennon Miller, and Hearts attacker James Wilson.
Notably absent are Napoli’s Scott McTominay, who is recovering from minor heart surgery, Rangers striker Lawrence Shankland, sidelined with a hamstring injury, and Torino forward Che Adams, who is also out injured. Overall, twelve players who featured at the World Cup are missing from Pocognoli’s inaugural roster. Among those left out are Rangers centre‑back John Souttar, Celtic’s Anthony Ralston, Hibernian defender Grant Hanley, Wrexham’s Dominic Hyam, Manchester United’s Tyler Fletcher, Millwall’s Lyndon Dykes, Stoke’s George Hirst, and Swansea’s Ross Stewart.
Luis Binks, the 25‑year‑old Brøndby captain, has an interesting international background: he represented Scotland at under‑18 level before switching allegiance to England’s youth teams. Robbie Ure, a product of the Rangers academy, secured a high‑profile move to La Liga side Sevilla after an impressive stint at Swedish club Sirius, where he scored 20 goals in as many games. The 22‑year‑old is also eligible for Ukraine through a grand‑parental link.
Josh McPake’s inclusion rewards his strong performances since joining Hearts from St Johnstone in the summer, while Stephen Welsh arrives after a successful loan spell at Motherwell from Celtic last season. Right‑back Colby Donovan has been a mainstay in Celtic’s defence this term and replaces his teammate Anthony Ralston in the national squad. The complete goalkeeper roster consists of 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).
In midfield, the selections are Ryan Christie (Bournemouth), Lewis Ferguson (Bologna), Billy Gilmour (Napoli), John McGinn (Aston Villa), Kenny McLean (Norwich City), Josh McPake (Hearts) and Lennon Miller (Udinese). The attacking options include Kieron Bowie (Sassuolo), Findlay Curtis (Rangers), Ben Gannon‑Doak (Bournemouth), Oli McBurnie (Hull City), Robbie Ure (Sevilla) and James Wilson (Hearts). Pocognoli, speaking after unveiling his squad, emphasized that his primary concern is the style of play he wishes to implement. "For me, the most important thing is the style of football I want to see on the pitch," he said.
"My selections have been guided by that principle. I could have added many more names, but I had to make tough choices.
Some players are omitted because they don’t fit the system, others because of injuries or lack of playing time. The aim is to blend experienced heads with fresh faces, to pass on the DNA, heritage and culture of Scottish football while starting a new chapter." Former Scotland striker James McFadden offered his perspective on Sky Sports News, highlighting Ure’s rise. "Robbie Ure has been on our radar for a while, especially after his prolific spell in Sweden before the World Cup," McFadden noted. "His move to Sevilla proves he can compete at the highest level.
He’s taken an unconventional route, but his bravery and determination deserve respect." Regarding McBurnie’s recall, McFadden added, "Oli deserves his chance. There’s been some backlash against him over the 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 claim the number nine role." The upcoming Nations League schedule sees Scotland face Slovenia on September 26 at 2 pm, Switzerland on September 29 at 7.45 pm, North Macedonia on October 3 at 7.45 pm, a return fixture with Slovenia on October 6 at 7.45 pm, another match against North Macedonia on November 13 at 7.45 pm, and finally Switzerland again on November 16 at 7.45 pm. Fans are encouraged to follow Sky Sports on WhatsApp for the latest news, video highlights, analysis and more.
In summary, Pocognoli’s first Scotland squad blends seasoned internationals with a wave of new talent, reflecting a strategic shift toward a cohesive playing style. The inclusion of players like Ure, Binks, McPake and McBurnie signals a willingness to reward form and potential, while the absence of several World Cup veterans underscores the manager’s intent to forge a fresh identity for the national team moving forward.