Sebastien Pocognoli, the newly appointed manager of the Scotland national team, has unveiled his first selection, featuring five players who are receiving their first full international caps. Among the newcomers are Sevilla forward Robbie Ure and Brondby centre‑back Luis Binks, both of whom have impressed at club level and now earn a chance to represent Scotland on the senior stage. The squad also includes Celtic defender Colby Donovan, Hearts winger Josh McPake and Swansea City midfielder Stephen Welsh, rounding out a group of young talents that Pocognoli hopes will inject fresh energy into the side for the upcoming Nations League fixtures. In addition, Hull City striker Oli McBurnie makes a long‑awaited return after his last appearance for Scotland in 2021, while veteran goalkeepers Scott Bain and Jon McCracken are back in the fold following Craig Gordon’s retirement after the World Cup.
Napoli’s promising midfielder Billy Gilmour is also back after a knee injury forced him out of Steve Clarke’s final squad, and Stoke City’s Luke Graham has earned a place after a breakthrough season with Dundee and a productive pre‑World Cup training camp in May. Graham, who has already earned three caps at under‑21 level, was a constant presence as Stoke secured three wins and a draw in their last four Championship matches. Further additions include Sassuolo duo Josh Doig and Kieron Bowie, Udinese youngster Lennon Miller, and Hearts forward James Wilson, all of whom have been recalled to add depth across the pitch.
Notably absent are Napoli midfielder Scott McTominay, who is recovering from minor heart surgery, Rangers striker Lawrence Shankland, sidelined with a hamstring problem, and Torino forward Che Adams, who is also dealing with injury concerns. Overall, twelve players who featured at the World Cup are missing from Pocognoli’s debut roster. Among those left out are Rangers centre‑back John Souttar, Celtic’s Anthony Ralston, Hibernian defender Grant Hanley, Wrexham’s 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 a wealth of experience despite his youth. He previously represented Scotland at under‑18 level before switching allegiance to England’s youth teams, making his senior debut for Scotland a noteworthy milestone.
Robbie Ure, a former Rangers academy product, secured a high‑profile transfer to LaLiga side Sevilla after a prolific spell at Swedish club Sirius, where he scored 20 goals in 20 games. The 22‑year‑old is also eligible for Ukraine through a grand‑parental link, adding an intriguing international dimension to his profile. Josh McPake’s inclusion reflects his impressive form since moving from St Johnstone to Hearts in the summer, while Stephen Welsh earned his call‑up after a successful loan at Motherwell from Celtic last season.
Right‑back Colby Donovan has been a regular starter for Celtic this campaign and replaces his teammate Anthony Ralston in the back line. Goalkeeping options listed by the coach include 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 selections 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, Pocognoli has chosen 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 named many more players, but I had to make tough choices based on how they fit our tactical approach, injury status and recent playing time. We have a balanced mix of seasoned veterans, fresh faces, first‑cap players and those returning from absence. The goal is to blend the DNA, heritage and culture of Scottish football while starting a new chapter." Former Scotland striker James McFadden, interviewed by Sky Sports News, praised the inclusion of Ure: "Robbie’s been on our radar for his form in Sweden, especially leading up to the World Cup, but he missed out then.
His move to Sevilla shows he can perform at a high level. It’s a sign that Scotland is finally creating competition for places.
Robbie took an unconventional path, moving abroad and forging his own career, and he deserves respect for his bravery and determination." McFadden also defended Oli McBurnie’s recall: "Oli deserves his chance. There’s been some backlash over the past few years, but he’s passionate about wearing the Scotland shirt.
He’s been patient, worked hard on himself, and now he’s back in the Premier League. He has the quality to fight for the number nine role and prove himself at the international level." The upcoming fixtures for Scotland include a September 26 clash with Slovenia at 2 pm, a September 29 encounter with Switzerland at 7.45 pm, and an October 3 game against North Macedonia at 7.45 pm.
The calendar continues with a home match versus Slovenia on October 6, a further meeting with North Macedonia on November 13, and a final Nations League tie against Switzerland on November 16, both kick‑offs set for 7.45 pm. Fans are encouraged to follow Sky Sports on WhatsApp for the latest updates, video highlights, analysis and more.