Sebastien Pocognoli, the newly appointed manager of the Scotland national football team, told Sky Sports that a fresh approach was overdue and that his inaugural squad offers a "good mix" of experience and youthful energy. The Belgian coach, who is stepping into the role previously held by Steve Clarke, convened with his players for the first time this week under the warm skies of La Manga, where they are preparing for their Nations League opening match against Slovenia.
In his initial selection, Pocognoli introduced five newcomers to the senior side, granting them their first full international caps. Among those debutants is Blackburn Rovers midfielder Kristi Montgomery, who was called up after the withdrawals of established internationals Kieran Tierney and Kenny McLean. The extended international break, featuring four Nations League fixtures, affords the new manager a valuable window to embed his ideas, assess the squad’s dynamics, and begin shaping the team’s identity as he assumes the mantle of Scotland’s head coach.
"We have plenty of experience in the team, there are some new faces and young lads, and I think we have a good mix," Pocognoli explained to Sky Sports News. He emphasized the importance of maintaining the balance that has historically made Scotland a cohesive unit, noting that the team’s "DNA"—its collective spirit and unity—must be preserved even as tactical adjustments are introduced. He continued, "We need to make sure that the balance stays right, and to keep what makes the Scotland team really strong, it was the cohesion and really proper DNA in the team, and this needs to stay." Pocognoli argued that the timing of the change was appropriate, given the current calendar and the desire to implement a new playing philosophy on the pitch. The manager also highlighted practical considerations such as club performance and player injuries, stating that these factors inevitably influence selection decisions.
"It's also performance in your club, injury, and at the same time you need to make the change," he said, underscoring that past structures provide a foundation for future progress. From a coaching perspective, Pocognoli stressed the need for alignment among his staff, insisting that everyone must share a common vision. "The experienced players will be important to continue to take care of this, and on the coaching staff point of view, we need to be aligned about what we want to achieve together," he remarked.
He envisions a side that operates as a single entity—attacking and defending in unison—reflecting what he described as the quintessential "Scotland mentality." The Pocognoli era will officially commence in Ljubljana on Saturday when Scotland face Slovenia, followed by a home clash with Switzerland at Hampden Park three days later. The schedule then takes the team to North Macedonia on 3 October before returning to Glasgow for a second encounter with Slovenia on 6 October. Scotland, having been relegated from Nations League A after a play‑off loss to Greece last year, are now competing in League B and aim to secure promotion back to the top tier. Pocognoli, 39, outlined his broader objectives for the competition.
"There are many ways to be successful," he said. "For me, in the Nations League, it's to stay competitive and try to be as much as possible higher in the ranking to go to League A. But just to recognise some principles on the pitch, recognise who are the leaders on the pitch, see some young lads playing, see team cohesion on the pitch. Also, to get the supporters excited.
If we can combine with the result, and that's why we do this job, I would be really happy." Below is the full squad list announced by Pocognoli: 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), Stephen Welsh (Swansea City) Midfielders: Ryan Christie (Bournemouth), Lewis Ferguson (Bologna), Billy Gilmour (Napoli), John McGinn (Aston Villa), Josh McPake (Hearts), Lennon Miller (Udinese), Kristi Montgomery (Blackburn Rovers) Forwards: Kieron Bowie (Sassuolo), Findlay Curtis (Rangers), Ben Gannon‑Doak (Bournemouth), Oli McBurnie (Hull City), Robbie Ure (Sevilla), James Wilson (Hearts) The upcoming fixtures are as follows: - Slovenia vs Scotland – 26 September, 14:00 GMT - Scotland vs Switzerland – 29 September, 19:45 GMT - North Macedonia vs Scotland – 3 October, 19:45 GMT - Scotland vs Slovenia – 6 October, 19:45 GMT - Scotland vs North Macedonia – 13 November, 19:45 GMT - Switzerland vs Scotland – 16 November, 19:45 GMT Pocognoli’s appointment marks a new chapter for Scottish football, with the manager eager to blend seasoned campaigners with emerging talent, uphold the team’s traditional unity, and introduce a progressive style of play that can propel Scotland back to the elite level of European competition.