Sebastien Pocognoli, the newly appointed manager of the Scotland national team, has unveiled his first selection for the upcoming Nations League fixtures, and the list features a notable influx of newcomers. Among the five players receiving their first full senior caps are Sevilla forward Robbie Ure and Brøndby defender Luis Binks, both of whom have impressed at club level and now earn the chance to represent Scotland under the new coach. The squad also includes Celtic centre‑back Colby Donovan, Hearts winger Josh McPake and Swansea City midfielder Stephen Welsh.
These three have been rewarded for their recent form and are expected to add depth and competition across the back line and midfield. A long‑awaited recall also appears in Pocognoli’s roster: Hull City striker Oli McBurnie, who last wore the Scotland shirt in 2021, returns to the fold after a period of absence. His resurgence at club level, culminating in a return to the Premier League, convinced the coach that he deserves another opportunity to lead the line for his country. Between the posts, veteran keepers Scott Bain and Jon McCracken are back in contention following the retirement of long‑time stalwart Craig Gordon after the World Cup.
Their experience will be valuable as Scotland look to shore up the defensive unit. Napoli’s versatile midfielder Billy Gilmour also makes his way back into the squad after a knee injury forced him to withdraw from Steve Clarke’s final selection. Gilmour’s technical ability and composure on the ball make him a key figure in Pocognoli’s vision of a possession‑oriented side.
Luke Graham, a breakout performer for Dundee this season, earns a place after having been part of Scotland’s pre‑World Cup training camp in May. The Stoke City defender, who has already accumulated three caps at under‑21 level, has been an ever‑present figure for his club, featuring in every minute of their recent run that produced three wins and a draw in the last four Championship matches.
Additional recalls include Sassuolo duo Josh Doig and Kieron Bowie, Udinese’s promising youngster Lennon Miller, and Hearts forward James Wilson. Their inclusion reflects Pocognoli’s desire to blend youthful exuberance with seasoned professionalism.
However, not everyone will be available. Napoli midfielder Scott McTominay is sidelined as he recovers from a minor heart operation, while Rangers striker Lawrence Shankland is out with a hamstring problem. Torino forward Che Adams also remains injured, meaning the attacking options are somewhat limited. Overall, twelve players who featured at the World Cup are absent from this first Pocognoli selection.
Among those omitted are 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’s George Hirst and Swansea’s Ross Stewart. Luis Binks, the Brøndby centre‑back, will captain the Danish SuperLiga side and has a unique international background: he previously 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 move to La Liga club Sevilla after a prolific spell with Swedish side 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’s inclusion rewards his impressive performances since joining Hearts from St Johnstone in the summer, while Stephen Welsh earns his call‑up after a successful loan stint at Motherwell from Celtic last season. Right‑back Colby Donovan has been a mainstay in Celtic’s defensive line this term and replaces his teammate Ralston in the national setup. The full list of goalkeepers is: Scott Bain (Falkirk), Angus Gunn (San Jose Earthquakes), Liam Kelly (Rangers) and Jon McCracken (Bradford City). The defensive contingent features 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 options include 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 attackers 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 announcing the squad, emphasizing his philosophy: "The most important factor 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 choices based on the system we intend to employ, as well as considerations of injury and recent playing time.
I believe we have a balanced mix of experienced campaigners, fresh faces, first‑cap players and those returning after a spell out of the squad. The aim is to pass on the DNA, heritage and culture of Scottish football while embarking on a new chapter.
This is a fresh start, a new book, and we must show the right attitude both 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 ever since his standout season in Sweden, and his move to Sevilla proves he can compete at the highest level. He's taken an unconventional path, but his bravery and determination deserve respect. Scotland have lacked depth in that position for years, and his arrival adds healthy competition." Regarding McBurnie’s recall, McFadden added: "Oli deserves this chance.
There has been a lot of criticism aimed at him over the past few years, but his passion for wearing the Scotland shirt is evident. He has worked hard, improved his game, and now has the platform to prove he can be the number nine the team needs." The upcoming fixtures for Pocognoli’s side are set for September and October, with matches against Slovenia, Switzerland and North Macedonia in the Nations League, followed by a return fixture against Slovenia and a final game versus North Macedonia in November.
Fans are encouraged to follow Sky Sports on WhatsApp for the latest updates, videos, analysis and more. In summary, Sebastien Pocognoli’s inaugural Scotland squad blends youthful vigor with seasoned experience, aiming to forge a new identity for the national team.
The inclusion of five debutants, the return of key players, and the strategic omissions all signal a clear intent: to implement a distinctive playing style, nurture emerging talent, and restore confidence among the supporters as Scotland embarks on the next chapter of its international journey.