Sebastien Pocognoli, the newly appointed manager of the Scotland national team, has unveiled his first squad, introducing five players who are earning 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 features Celtic's versatile defender Colby Donovan, Hearts winger Josh McPake, and Swansea City midfielder Stephen Welsh, all of whom have been handed their maiden call‑ups for the upcoming Nations League fixtures. The selection also marks the long‑awaited return of Hull City striker Oli McBurnie, who has not featured for Scotland since 2021.
His recall follows a productive spell back in the Premier League and a renewed determination to re‑establish himself at the highest level. In goal, veteran Scott Bain and promising youngster Jon McCracken are back in the fold after the retirement of long‑serving custodian Craig Gordon following the World Cup. Napoli’s dynamic midfielder Billy Gilmour has also rejoined the squad after a knee injury forced him out of Steve Clarke’s final selection.
Gilmour’s recovery has been closely monitored, and his inclusion signals Pocognoli’s confidence in his ability to add creativity and drive to the midfield. Luke Graham, a Stoke City defender who impressed during Scotland’s pre‑World Cup training camp in May, has earned a place thanks to a breakthrough season with Dundee. Graham, who has three caps at under‑21 level, played every minute as Stoke secured three wins and a draw in their last four Championship matches, demonstrating both consistency and resilience. Additional recalls include Sassuolo duo Josh Doig and Kieron Bowie, Udinese’s promising midfielder Lennon Miller, and Hearts attacker James Wilson.
Their performances in Italy’s Serie A and Italy’s Serie B respectively have convinced the new boss that they can add depth and competition across the roster. However, not everyone is available. Napoli’s midfield engine Scott McTominay is sidelined while recovering from a minor heart procedure, and Rangers’ prolific striker Lawrence Shankland is out with a hamstring injury.
Torino forward Che Adams also remains unavailable due to fitness concerns. In total, twelve players who featured at the World Cup have been omitted from Pocognoli’s inaugural list. 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.
Their omission underscores the manager’s emphasis on a specific playing style rather than simply rewarding past experience. Luis Binks, the 25‑year‑old Brøndby captain, brings a unique background: he represented Scotland at under‑18 level before switching allegiance to England’s youth teams.
His leadership and defensive versatility make him a valuable asset for Pocognoli’s vision of a high‑pressing, ball‑playing back line. Robbie Ure’s journey is equally compelling. After a prolific spell at Swedish side Sirius, where he scored 20 goals in as many games, the 22‑year‑old secured a high‑profile transfer to LaLiga side Sevilla.
Ure also qualifies for Ukraine through his grandparents, adding an intriguing international dimension to his profile. Josh McPake earned his place thanks to an impressive run of form since moving from St Johnstone to Hearts in the summer. His pace and work‑rate on the wing have attracted attention from several clubs, and his inclusion reflects Pocognoli’s desire for dynamic attacking options. Stephen Welsh, who returned to the national setup after a successful loan at Motherwell from Celtic, offers a blend of physicality and technical ability in midfield.
Right‑back Colby Donovan has been a mainstay in Celtic’s defence this season, earning a call‑up at the expense of his teammate Anthony Ralston. His consistency and ability to contribute to both defensive duties and forward thrusts align with the manager’s tactical blueprint. 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 press after announcing his selections, emphasizing that the overarching priority 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 focus has been to choose players who fit that vision. I could have named many more, but I had to make tough decisions based on the system, injuries, and recent playing time.
The balance of experience, fresh talent, and returning players gives us a solid mix. Our aim is to pass on the DNA, heritage, and culture of Scottish football while embarking on a new chapter." Former Scotland striker James McFadden, speaking on Sky Sports News, praised Ure’s inclusion: "Robbie Ure has been on the radar for a while, especially after his standout season in Sweden. Securing a move to Sevilla proves his ability to compete at a high level.
Scotland has lacked depth in certain attacking areas for years, and his unconventional path shows courage and determination." Regarding Oli McBurnie’s recall, McFadden added: "Oli deserves this chance. He's faced criticism over the past few years, but his passion for wearing the Scottish shirt has never wavered.
After working hard on his game and returning to the Premier League, he’s ready to fight for the number nine role." Scotland’s upcoming fixtures in the Nations League are set as follows: Slovenia vs Scotland on 26 September at 14:00, Scotland vs Switzerland on 29 September at 19:45, North Macedonia vs Scotland on 3 October at 19:45, Scotland vs Slovenia on 6 October at 19:45, Scotland vs North Macedonia on 13 November at 19:45, and Switzerland vs Scotland on 16 November at 19:45. Fans are encouraged to follow Sky Sports on WhatsApp for the latest updates, video highlights, and in‑depth analysis. The squad selection reflects a clear shift toward a more progressive, possession‑based approach, with an emphasis on players comfortable in high‑pressing situations and capable of quick transitions.
By blending seasoned internationals with fresh faces eager to prove themselves, Pocognoli hopes to lay the foundations for a competitive and entertaining Scotland side that can challenge the best in Europe.