Five New Faces Named in Pocognoli's Inaugural Scotland Squad

Robbie Ure, the Sevilla forward, and Luis Binks, who captains Brøndby in Denmark, are two of the five newcomers who have earned their first full‑international call‑up under Scotland’s new boss, Sébastien Pocognoli. The fresh selections also feature Celtic’s versatile defender Colby Donovan, Hearts winger Josh McPake and Swansea City midfielder Stephen Welsh, all of whom have been handed spots for the upcoming Nations League fixtures. In addition to the debutants, the squad includes a much‑anticipated recall for Hull City striker Oli McBurnie, who last wore the Scotland shirt in 2021. Goalkeeping duties will be shared by returning veterans Scott Bain and Jon McCracken after long‑time custodian Craig Gordon announced his retirement following the World Cup.

Napoli’s promising youngster Billy Gilmour is back in the mix after a knee injury forced him out of Steve Clarke’s final squad before the tournament. Luke Graham, who impressed during Scotland’s pre‑World Cup training camp in May and enjoyed a breakthrough season with Dundee, also makes the list. The Stoke City centre‑back has already earned three caps at under‑21 level and has been an ever‑present figure as the Potters collected three wins and a draw in their last four Championship outings. Other notable inclusions are Sassuolo duo Josh Doig and Kieron Bowie, Udinese midfielder Lennon Miller, and Hearts attacker James Wilson, all of whom have been recalled to add depth and competition.

However, several key players are absent: Napoli midfielder Scott McTominay is sidelined while recovering from minor heart surgery, Rangers’ prolific striker Lawrence Shankland is nursing a hamstring injury, and Torino forward Che Adams is also out with fitness concerns. Overall, twelve members of the World Cup‑winning contingent are missing from Pocognoli’s first selection. Among those omitted are 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 Brøndby captain, has an interesting international background.

He represented Scotland at under‑18 level before switching allegiance to England’s youth teams, making him a dual‑nationality case. Robbie Ure, a product of the Rangers academy, secured a high‑profile move to La Liga side Sevilla after an eye‑catching spell at Swedish club Sirius, where he scored an astonishing 20 goals in 20 games.

The 22‑year‑old is also eligible to play for Ukraine through a grandparent, adding another layer to his international options. Josh McPake’s inclusion 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. Stephen Welsh earns his call‑up after a successful loan stint at Motherwell from Celtic, where he demonstrated his ability to dictate tempo from midfield.

Colby Donovan, a right‑back who has featured in every Celtic match this season, replaces his teammate Anthony Ralston in the defensive line. The full goalkeeper roster lists Scott Bain (Falkirk), Angus Gunn (San Jose Earthquakes), Liam Kelly (Rangers) and Jon McCracken (Bradford City).

Defenders include 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) and Stephen Welsh (Swansea City). Midfield selections feature 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). Pocognoli addressed the media after unveiling his squad, emphasizing his tactical priorities.

“The most important thing for me is the style of play I want to see on the pitch,” he explained. “My selections have been guided by that vision.

I could have added many more names, but I had to make tough decisions based on the system we intend to employ, injury status and recent playing time.” He added that the blend of seasoned internationals, fresh faces and returning players would help preserve Scotland’s footballing DNA while ushering in a new chapter. “We are starting a new journey, a new book.

What happened before is part of the past; now we build something different. It’s a fresh opportunity for some and a new beginning for others.

The attitude we bring on and off the field will be crucial.” Former Scotland striker James McFadden, speaking to Sky Sports News, praised Ure’s inclusion. He noted that Ure had been on the radar after his prolific season in Sweden, and his move to Sevilla confirms his ability to compete at a high level.

“Scotland has lacked depth in that position for years, and Robbie’s unconventional path shows bravery and determination. He deserves respect for carving his own way,” McFadden said.

Regarding Oli McBurnie’s return, McFadden added, “Oli deserves his chance. He’s faced criticism over the past few years, but his passion for the national team is evident.

After working hard abroad and now back in the Premier League, he has the potential to make the No 9 role his own.” The upcoming fixtures for Scotland under Pocognoli’s guidance are set as follows: a home clash against Slovenia on 26 September at 14:00, followed by a match versus Switzerland on 29 September at 19:45. The final round of the Nations League sees Scotland travel to North Macedonia on 3 October (19:45), host Slovenia again on 6 October (19:45), and later in the year face North Macedonia on 13 November (19:45) and Switzerland on 16 November (19:45).

Fans are encouraged to follow Sky Sports on WhatsApp for the latest updates, video highlights, in‑depth analysis and more. This comprehensive squad reflects Pocognoli’s ambition to blend experience with youthful energy, aiming to revive Scotland’s competitive edge on the international stage while fostering a cohesive playing philosophy that can adapt to the challenges ahead.