Five New Faces Named in Pocognoli's Inaugural Scotland Squad

Sebastien Pocognoli, the freshly appointed manager of the Scotland national team, has unveiled his first selection, featuring a blend of seasoned internationals and five newcomers receiving their first full caps. Among the debutants are Sevilla forward Robbie Ure and Brøndby defender Luis Binks, who join a group that also includes Celtic's Colby Donovan, Hearts winger Josh McPake and Swansea City midfielder Stephen Welsh.

These players have been called up for the upcoming Nations League fixtures, marking a significant shift in the squad's composition. The announcement also saw the long‑awaited return of Hull City striker Oli McBurnie, who last appeared for Scotland in 2021. His recall reflects both his improved form and the national team’s desire to inject fresh attacking options.

In goal, veteran Scott Bain and promising youngster Jon McCracken have been reinstated after veteran Craig Gordon announced his retirement following the World Cup. Napoli midfielder Billy Gilmour is back in the mix 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 at under‑21 level three times and has been a mainstay for his club, contributing to three wins and a draw in their last four Championship matches.

Additional recalls include Sassuolo’s Josh Doig and Kieron Bowie, Udinese’s Lennon Miller, and Hearts forward James Wilson. Notably absent are several players who featured at the World Cup: Napoli’s Scott McTominay, who is recovering from minor heart surgery; Rangers striker Lawrence Shankland, sidelined with a hamstring problem; and Torino forward Che Adams, also dealing with injury. In total, twelve World Cup veterans are missing from Pocognoli’s inaugural roster.

Other notable omissions are Rangers’ 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 captain of Danish SuperLiga side Brøndby, brings a unique background to the squad.

He has represented Scotland at under‑18 level before switching allegiance to England’s youth teams, and now returns to the senior side under Pocognoli’s guidance. Robbie Ure, a former Rangers academy product, secured a high‑profile move to LaLiga club Sevilla after a prolific spell at Swedish side Sirius, where he scored 20 goals in as many games. At 22, Ure is also eligible for Ukraine through a grand‑parental link, adding an interesting dimension to his international prospects. Josh McPake’s inclusion rewards his impressive performances since joining Hearts from St Johnstone in the summer, while Stephen Welsh arrives after a successful loan at Motherwell from Celtic last season.

Celtic defender Colby Donovan, who has featured in every Celtic match this term, replaces his club‑mate Anthony Ralston in the back line. The full squad list 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, speaking after the squad release, emphasized his focus on the style of play he intends to implement. 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 difficult choices. Some players are missing because they do not fit the system, whether due to injury or lack of playing time.” He added that the blend of experience and youth was deliberate, aiming to pass on Scotland’s footballing DNA, heritage and culture while embarking on a new chapter.

Former Scotland striker James McFadden, appearing on Sky Sports News, praised the inclusion of Ure, noting his standout form in Sweden and his high‑profile transfer to Sevilla as evidence of his ability to compete at the highest level. McFadden highlighted Ure’s unconventional career path, saying, “He’s taken a brave route, moving abroad and forging his own development. He deserves respect for that.” Regarding McBurnie’s recall, McFadden commented, “Oli has earned his chance. He’s faced criticism over the years, but his passion for wearing the Scotland shirt is evident.

After working hard on his game, he’s back in the Premier League and ready to fight for the number nine role.” Scotland’s upcoming Nations League schedule features matches against Slovenia on September 26 (2 pm), Switzerland on September 29 (7.45 pm), North Macedonia on October 3 (7.45 pm), a return fixture with Slovenia on October 6 (7.45 pm), another clash with North Macedonia on November 13 (7.45 pm) and a final game against Switzerland on November 16 (7.45 pm). Fans are encouraged to follow Sky Sports on WhatsApp for the latest updates, videos, analysis and more.

Overall, Pocognoli’s first squad reflects a strategic overhaul, blending fresh talent with seasoned campaigners to create a dynamic, adaptable team capable of competing on the international stage. The inclusion of players like Ure, Binks and McBurnie signals a willingness to reward form and ambition, while the absence of several World Cup veterans underscores the new manager’s commitment to a distinct tactical vision.

The forthcoming fixtures will provide a clear indication of how this blend of experience and youth performs under Pocognoli’s direction, setting the tone for Scotland’s future campaigns.