Sebastien Pocognoli, the newly appointed manager of the Scotland national team, has unveiled his first selection, introducing five players who will earn their first full international caps. Among the newcomers are Sevilla forward Robbie Ure and Brondby defender Luis Binks, both of whom have impressed with their club performances and now join the senior squad for the upcoming Nations League fixtures. The list also features Celtic centre‑back Colby Donovan, Hearts winger Josh McPake, and Swansea City midfielder Stephen Welsh. Each of these three has demonstrated consistency at club level and earned a deserved place in Pocognoli's plans as he seeks to blend youth with experience.
In addition to the fresh faces, veteran striker Oli McBurnie of Hull City receives a long‑awaited recall. The forward, who last represented Scotland in 2021, has been in fine form in the English Championship and will be looking to re‑establish himself on the international stage. Goalkeeping duties will be shared by Scott Bain and Jon McCracken, who return after the retirement of long‑time custodian Craig Gordon following the World Cup. Their inclusion provides stability and competition between the posts as Scotland prepares for a demanding schedule.
Napoli midfielder Billy Gilmour is also back in the fold after a knee injury forced him out of Steve Clarke's final squad. Gilmour's technical ability and vision make him a valuable asset in the middle of the park, and his recovery is a welcome boost for the team. Stoke City defender Luke Graham makes the squad after a breakthrough season with Dundee and participation in Scotland's pre‑World Cup training camp in May. Graham has been a regular for the Potters, featuring in every minute of their recent run of three wins and a draw in the Championship, and his defensive reliability earned him a senior call‑up.
Other notable inclusions are Serie A players Josh Doig and Kieron Bowie, both of Sassuolo, Udinese's promising youngster Lennon Miller, and Hearts forward James Wilson, all of whom have been recalled to add depth and variety to the roster. However, several key figures are missing.
Napoli midfielder Scott McTominay is sidelined while recovering from a minor heart operation, and Rangers striker Lawrence Shankland is out with a hamstring problem. Torino forward Che Adams is also unavailable due to injury. In total, twelve members of the World Cup‑qualified squad are absent from Pocognoli's first selection. Further omissions 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 striker Ross Stewart.
Luis Binks, the 25‑year‑old captain of Danish SuperLiga side Brondby, brings leadership and versatility to the back line. Although he previously represented Scotland at under‑18 level, he later appeared for England's youth teams before committing his senior allegiance to Scotland. Robbie Ure, a product of the Rangers academy, secured a high‑profile transfer to LaLiga side Sevilla after a prolific spell at Swedish club Sirius, where he scored 20 goals in as many games. The 22‑year‑old is also eligible for Ukraine through a grandparent, adding an interesting dimension to his international options.
Josh McPake has earned his place thanks to an impressive run since moving to Hearts from St Johnstone in the summer, while Stephen Welsh joins after a successful loan at Motherwell from Celtic last season, highlighting his development and readiness for senior duty. Colby Donovan, a right‑back, has been ever‑present for Celtic this season and replaces his club teammate Anthony Ralston in the national squad. The full roster of goalkeepers includes Scott Bain (Falkirk), Angus Gunn (San Jose Earthquakes), Liam Kelly (Rangers) and Jon McCracken (Bradford City).
The defensive line features Luis Binks (Brondby), 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). After announcing the squad, Pocognoli explained his philosophy: "The most important factor for me is the style of play I want to see on the pitch.
My selections are driven by that vision. I could have added many more names, but I had to make tough choices based on the system we intend to implement, as well as considerations of injury and recent playing time. I believe we have a balanced mix of seasoned internationals, fresh talent, first‑cap players and those returning to the fold.
The goal is to preserve Scotland's DNA, heritage and culture while embarking on a new chapter. This is a fresh start; the past belongs to history, and now we build something new. The opportunity lies with the players to demonstrate the right attitude both on and off the field." Former Scotland striker James McFadden, speaking to Sky Sports News, praised Ure's inclusion: "Robbie has been on our radar for his form in Sweden, especially leading up to the World Cup, but he missed out last time.
His move to Sevilla proves he can compete at the highest level. Scotland has struggled to produce quality forwards for years, and his arrival adds much‑needed competition. Robbie took an unconventional route, moving abroad early, and he deserves respect for his bravery and determination to develop his career." McFadden also defended McBurnie's recall: "Oli deserves his chance. There has been some backlash against him over recent seasons, but his passion for wearing the Scotland shirt is evident.
He has been patient, worked hard away from home, and now back in the Premier League he is ready to fight for the number nine role." Scotland's upcoming fixtures in the Nations League are set for September and October, with matches against Slovenia, Switzerland, and North Macedonia. The schedule provides Pocognoli with a platform to test his ideas, integrate the newcomers, and shape a squad capable of competing on the European stage. Fans can stay updated via Sky Sports' WhatsApp channel for the latest news, video highlights, analysis and more. The campaign also includes a promotional Super 6 competition offering a chance to win £1 million, with free entry for participants.