Sebastien Pocognoli, the freshly appointed manager of the Scotland national team, has unveiled his first selection for the upcoming Nations League fixtures, and the list features a blend of seasoned campaigners and fresh talent. Among the newcomers earning their first full international caps are Sevilla forward Robbie Ure and Danish SuperLiga defender Luis Binks, who captains Brondby.
They join a further trio of debutants: Celtic's rising right‑back Colby Donovan, Hearts winger Josh McPake, and Swansea City midfielder Stephen Welsh. The squad also marks the long‑awaited return of Hull City striker Oli McBurnie, who has not worn the Scottish shirt since 2021.
Goalkeeping duties are once again shouldered by Scott Bain and Jon McCracken after veteran Craig Gordon announced his retirement following the World Cup. Napoli midfielder Billy Gilmour is back after a knee injury forced him out of Steve Clarke's final squad, and Stoke City centre‑back Luke Graham, who impressed during Scotland's pre‑World Cup training camp and enjoyed a breakthrough season with Dundee, has also been recalled. Graham, a former Scotland under‑21 international with three caps at that level, has been an ever‑present figure for Stoke City as they accumulated three victories and a draw in their last four Championship matches.
Further additions include Sassuolo full‑backs Josh Doig and Kieron Bowie, Udinese youngster Lennon Miller, and Hearts forward James Wilson, all of whom have previously featured for the national side. Notably absent are several players who featured at the World Cup. Napoli’s midfield engine Scott McTominay is sidelined as he recovers from a minor heart operation, while Rangers’ prolific striker Lawrence Shankland is out with a hamstring problem, and Torino attacker Che Adams remains injured.
In total, twelve World Cup veterans are missing from Pocognoli’s inaugural roster. Other omissions include 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 forward George Hirst and Swansea’s Ross Stewart.
Binks, the 25‑year‑old Brondby 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 transfer to La Liga side Sevilla after a prolific spell at Swedish club Sirius, where he scored 20 goals in 20 appearances.
The 22‑year‑old is also eligible for Ukraine through a grand‑parental link. Josh McPake earned his place thanks to an impressive run of form since moving to Hearts from St Johnstone in the summer, while Stephen Welsh earned his call‑up after a successful loan at Motherwell from Celtic the previous season. Right‑back Colby Donovan has been a regular starter for Celtic this campaign and replaces his club teammate Anthony Ralston in the national setup. The full list of goalkeepers named by Pocognoli includes Scott Bain (Falkirk), Angus Gunn (San Jose Earthquakes), Liam Kelly (Rangers) and Jon McCracken (Bradford City).
Defenders called up are 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). The midfield contingent features 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 forwards are Kieron Bowie (Sassuolo), Findlay Curtis (Rangers), Ben Gannon‑Doak (Bournemouth), Oli McBurnie (Hull City), Robbie Ure (Sevilla) and James Wilson (Hearts). Speaking after the announcement, Pocognoli emphasized his philosophy: "The most important thing 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. Some players miss out due to injuries or lack of game time, but ultimately it’s about fitting the system I intend to implement." He added that the squad offers a balanced mix of experience, new faces, and returning veterans, and that integrating the newcomers is crucial for passing on the national team’s DNA, heritage and culture. "We are starting a new chapter," he said.
"What happened before is part of the past; now we build something fresh. It’s a new opportunity for some, a fresh start for others, and we must 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 a while, especially after his standout season in Sweden before the World Cup.
Moving to Sevilla shows he can compete at the highest level. Scotland has struggled to produce quality forwards for years, and his unconventional path deserves respect – he’s been brave, moved abroad, and developed himself to earn this chance." Regarding McBurnie’s recall, McFadden noted, "Oli deserves this opportunity. There’s been some backlash against him over the past few years, but his passion for wearing the Scotland shirt is evident. He’s been patient, worked hard, and now back in the Premier League, he’s ready to fight for the number nine role." The upcoming fixtures for Scotland under Pocognoli’s guidance include a September 26 clash with Slovenia (kick‑off 14:00), a September 29 encounter with Switzerland (19:45), an October 3 game against North Macedonia (19:45), a further meeting with Slovenia on October 6 (19:45), a November 13 match versus North Macedonia (19:45) and a final November 16 showdown with Switzerland (19:45).
Fans are encouraged to follow Sky Sports on WhatsApp for the latest updates, video highlights, analysis and more. In summary, Pocognoli’s first Scotland squad reflects a deliberate blend of youthful energy and seasoned reliability, aiming to forge a cohesive unit capable of executing his preferred style of play. The inclusion of five first‑time caps, the return of key veterans and the strategic exclusion of others signal a clear direction for the national team as it embarks on a new era of competition in the Nations League and beyond.