Sebastien Pocognoli, the newly appointed manager of the Scotland national side, has unveiled his inaugural squad for the upcoming Nations League fixtures, and it features a notable influx of newcomers. Among the five players receiving their first senior call‑up are Sevilla forward Robbie Ure and Brøndby defender Luis Binks, both of whom have impressed at club level and are now set to make their debut for the national team. The list also includes Celtic's versatile centre‑back Colby Donovan, Hearts winger Josh McPake, and Swansea City midfielder Stephen Welsh.
Each of these three has earned a place in the 26‑man roster after strong performances in domestic competition, and they will join Ure and Binks as the fresh talent that Pocognoli hopes will inject new energy into the side. A further point of interest is the long‑awaited return of Hull City striker Oli McBurnie, who last wore the Scotland shirt in 2021. After a period of criticism and mixed form, McBurnie has rediscovered his scoring touch in the English Championship and is now back in the manager’s plans for the upcoming matches. Between the posts, veteran keepers Scott Bain and Jon McCracken have been recalled following the retirement of long‑time number one Craig Gordon after the World Cup.
Their experience will be valuable as Scotland transition to a new defensive setup under Pocognoli. Midfield dynamo Billy Gilmour, currently plying his trade with Napoli, also makes a comeback after a knee injury forced him out of Steve Clarke’s final squad before the tournament.
Gilmour’s composure on the ball and ability to dictate tempo are assets that the new coach is keen to utilise. Luke Graham, a Stoke City defender who featured in Scotland’s pre‑World Cup training camp in May, has been added as well. Graham enjoyed a breakout season with Dundee, earning three caps for the Scotland under‑21 side and playing every minute as Stoke recorded three victories and a draw in their last four Championship fixtures.
The squad also sees the return of several players who have been on the periphery in recent years: Sassuolo full‑backs Josh Doig and Kieron Bowie, Udinese midfielder Lennon Miller, and Hearts forward James Wilson. Their inclusion reflects Pocognoli’s willingness to broaden the talent pool and reward form over reputation. However, not everyone is available.
Napoli midfielder Scott McTominay is sidelined after undergoing a minor heart operation, while Rangers striker Lawrence Shankland is nursing a hamstring problem. Torino forward Che Adams is also out with injury, and a total of twelve World Cup veterans are omitted from this first selection under the Belgian coach.
Among the notable absences are Rangers centre‑back John Souttar, Celtic midfielder Anthony Ralston, Hibernian defender Grant Hanley, Wrexham’s Dominic Hyam, Manchester United youngster Tyler Fletcher, Millwall’s Lyndon Dykes, Stoke forward George Hirst, and Swansea striker Ross Stewart. Their exclusion underscores the new manager’s emphasis on a specific playing style rather than simply rewarding past service. Luis Binks, who will captain Brøndby in the Danish SuperLiga, is a dual‑nationality player who previously represented Scotland at under‑18 level before switching allegiance to England’s youth teams. His experience in a top Scandinavian league and his leadership qualities earned him the captain’s armband for his club and a place in Pocognoli’s senior side.
Robbie Ure’s journey is equally compelling. The former Rangers academy product moved to La Liga side Sevilla after a prolific spell at Swedish club Sirius, where he scored 20 goals in as many games. At just 22, Ure is also eligible to represent Ukraine through a grand‑parent rule, but he has chosen to pursue his international career with Scotland.
Josh McPake’s selection rewards his impressive form since joining Hearts from St Johnstone in the summer. His pace and creativity on the wing have been instrumental in Hearts’ attacking play, and his inclusion reflects the manager’s desire for dynamic, forward‑thinking options on the flanks. Stephen Welsh earns a place after a successful loan stint at Motherwell from Celtic last season, where he demonstrated his ability to contribute both defensively and offensively from midfield.
Colby Donovan, a right‑back who has featured in every Celtic match this season, replaces his teammate Anthony Ralston, offering a more attacking option from the back line. 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 addressed the media after unveiling his selection, emphasizing that his primary concern is the style of play he wishes to implement. "My focus is to choose players who fit the system I want to develop on the pitch," he said.
"There are many capable individuals who didn’t make the list because of tactical considerations, injuries, or recent playing time. The balance of experienced heads, fresh faces, and returning players is designed to preserve Scotland’s footballing DNA while also moving forward. Former Scotland striker James McFadden, speaking to Sky Sports, praised Ure’s rise: "Robbie’s form in Sweden caught my eye before the World Cup, and his move to Sevilla proves he can compete at the highest level. He’s taken an unconventional path, but his bravery and determination deserve respect." McFadden also defended McBurnie’s recall, noting the striker’s perseverance: "Oli has worked hard, stayed patient, and earned his chance back.
He’s a natural number nine and should have the opportunity to prove himself again for Scotland." Scotland’s upcoming fixtures under the new regime include a clash with Slovenia on September 26, followed by matches against Switzerland, North Macedonia, and a return tie with Slovenia later in the year. The squad’s composition suggests a blend of continuity and renewal, aiming to build a cohesive unit that can compete effectively in the Nations League and beyond. Fans can stay updated on team news, video highlights, and in‑depth analysis by following Sky Sports on WhatsApp, while the national association continues to promote engagement through interactive features such as the Super 6 competition, offering a chance to win a £1 million prize.