Sebastien Pocognoli, the newly appointed manager of the Scotland national team, has unveiled his first selection for the upcoming Nations League fixtures, and it features a blend of seasoned internationals and five newcomers earning their first full caps. Among the fresh faces are Sevilla striker Robbie Ure and Brøndby defender Luis Binks, both of whom have impressed at club level and now receive the honor of representing Scotland at senior level for the first time. Joining Ure and Binks are Celtic's young centre‑back Colby Donovan, Hearts winger Josh McPake, and Swansea City midfielder Stephen Welsh. The trio have all enjoyed strong domestic seasons, and Pocognoli believes they possess the attributes needed to execute his vision of a dynamic, possession‑based style of play.
The squad also marks the long‑awaited return of Hull City forward Oli McBurnie, who has not featured for Scotland since 2021. McBurnie's recall reflects his resurgence in the English Championship, where his physical presence and goal‑scoring instincts have once again attracted the national team’s attention.
In goal, veteran Scott Bain is back in the mix, while Jon McCracken also makes the list after Craig Gordon announced his retirement following the World Cup. Their inclusion provides a mix of experience and youthful energy between the posts. Napoli midfielder Billy Gilmour re‑joins the group after a knee injury forced him out of Steve Clarke’s final World Cup squad. Gilmour’s technical ability and composure on the ball make him a valuable asset in Pocognoli’s midfield plans.
Stoke City defender Luke Graham, who impressed during Scotland’s pre‑World Cup training camp in May and enjoyed a breakthrough season with Dundee, is also named. Graham has been a regular for Stoke, playing every minute of their recent run that yielded three wins and a draw in the Championship.
Additional recalls include Sassuolo’s versatile full‑back Josh Doig, Torino’s forward Kieron Bowie, Udinese’s promising youngster Lennon Miller, and Hearts attacker James Wilson. Their inclusion signals Pocognoli’s willingness to broaden the talent pool and reward players performing well in Serie A, Serie B and the Scottish Premiership.
Notably absent are several players who featured at the World Cup. Napoli’s Scott McTominay is sidelined while recovering from a minor heart operation, and Rangers striker Lawrence Shankland misses out due to a hamstring injury. Torino forward Che Adams is also unavailable through injury. In total, twelve World Cup veterans are omitted from this first Pocognoli roster.
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. Their exclusion underscores the new manager’s focus on form, fitness, and tactical fit rather than reputation alone.
Luis Binks, now the captain of Danish SuperLiga side Brøndby, brings a wealth of experience despite his youth. The 25‑year‑old has previously represented Scotland at under‑18 level before switching allegiance to England’s youth teams, making his senior Scotland debut a compelling narrative of dual‑national eligibility. Robbie Ure’s story is equally intriguing.
After a prolific spell at Swedish club Sirius, where he scored 20 goals in as many matches, the 22‑year‑old secured a high‑profile transfer to LaLiga side Sevilla. He is also eligible to play for Ukraine through a grand‑parental link, highlighting the multicultural pathways modern footballers often navigate.
Josh McPake’s inclusion rewards his impressive form since moving from St Johnstone to Hearts in the summer. His pace and creativity on the wing have been instrumental in Hearts’ attacking play.
Stephen Welsh earns his place after a successful loan at Motherwell from Celtic, where he demonstrated the defensive solidity and ball‑playing ability required at the international level. Right‑back Colby Donovan has been a mainstay in Celtic’s back line this season, and his selection replaces his club teammate Anthony Ralston, who has been omitted. Donovan’s consistency and defensive acumen align with Pocognoli’s emphasis on a solid defensive foundation.
The full squad list 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 announcing his selections, emphasizing his philosophy: "The most important factor for me is the style of play I want to see on the pitch. My focus has been to choose players who fit that vision. I could have added many more names, but I had to make tough decisions based on how each individual contributes to the system, whether through injury, form, or suitability to the tactical approach." He continued, "We have a balanced mix of experienced campaigners, fresh faces, first‑cap players, and young talent returning from injury. The goal is to welcome the newcomers, retain the seasoned veterans, and pass on the DNA, heritage, and culture of Scottish football.
This is a new chapter, a new book. What happened before belongs to the past; now we build something new. It’s a fresh opportunity for some, a true beginning for others, and we must translate that into the right attitude on and off the field." Former Scotland striker James McFadden, speaking to Sky Sports News, praised Ure’s inclusion: "Robbie Ure has been on our radar for a while, especially after his standout season in Sweden.
His move to Sevilla proves he can compete at the highest level. Scotland has lacked a forward of his profile for years, and his unconventional path shows real bravery and determination." Regarding McBurnie’s recall, McFadden added, "Oli deserves this chance. He’s faced criticism over the past few years, but his passion for the national shirt is evident. He’s worked hard, improved his game, 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 stewardship include: - Slovenia vs Scotland on 26 September, kickoff 14:00 - Scotland vs Switzerland on 29 September, kickoff 19:45 - North Macedonia vs Scotland on 3 October, kickoff 19:45 - Scotland vs Slovenia on 6 October, kickoff 19:45 - Scotland vs North Macedonia on 13 November, kickoff 19:45 - Switzerland vs Scotland on 16 November, kickoff 19:45 Fans are encouraged to follow Sky Sports on WhatsApp for the latest updates, video highlights, and in‑depth analysis.
The association also announced a promotional Super 6 competition, offering a chance to win £1 million, with free entry for participants. Overall, Pocognoli’s inaugural squad reflects a strategic shift toward a cohesive playing identity, blending proven internationals with promising newcomers eager to make their mark on the international stage.