Pocognoli Sees Balanced Squad as He Begins His Tenure with Scotland

Sebastien Pocognoli, the newly appointed manager of the Scotland national team, told Sky Sports that the moment had finally arrived for a fresh direction and that his inaugural selection already offers a "good mix" of talent. The Belgian coach, who steps into the role after the departure of Steve Clarke, is meeting his players for the first time this week at the training camp in La Manga, Spain, where they are preparing under the Mediterranean sun for their opening Nations League fixture against Slovenia. Pocognoli’s first roster features five newcomers receiving their first full senior caps for Scotland. Among them 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 – comprising four Nations League matches – gives the new boss a valuable window to work with the group, assess the squad’s dynamics, and begin imprinting his footballing philosophy. "We have a lot 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 traditionally made Scotland a cohesive unit. "We need to make sure that the balance stays right, and to keep what makes the Scotland team really strong – the cohesion and the proper DNA – and that needs to stay," he said.

The manager highlighted that the timing of the change was crucial. "The needed change was at this moment, because we follow the timelines, and the change is just about the things that we want to create on the pitch," he added. He noted that club performance, injury status, and overall form all factor into his selection decisions. "It’s also performance in your club, injury, and at the same time you need to make the change," Pocognoli remarked, underlining that past achievements provide a foundation for future ambitions.

Pocognoli stressed that experience will remain a cornerstone of his approach. "The experienced players will be important to continue to take care of this, and from a coaching staff point of view, we need to be aligned about what we want to achieve together," he said. He envisions a side that operates as a single, unified entity: "I want to see a team who are just really together, it’s quite basic – attack together, defend together – but that’s part of the Scotland mentality." The Pocognoli era officially kicks off in Ljubljana on Saturday, when Scotland face Slovenia. Three days later, the team will host Switzerland at Hampden Park.

After that, the squad travels to North Macedonia for a match on October 3 before returning to Glasgow for a second encounter with Slovenia on October 6. Scotland’s recent demotion from Nations League A, following a play‑off loss to Greece last year, means they are now competing in the second tier and will be eager to prove they belong back among Europe’s elite. At 39, Pocognoli is realistic about the challenges ahead. "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 high as possible in the ranking to get back to League A." He also highlighted the broader objectives that go beyond points alone. "We need to recognise the principles on the pitch, identify the leaders, see some young lads playing, and maintain team cohesion," Pocognoli explained.

"And we want to get the supporters excited. If we can combine that with good results, that’s why we do this job, and 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 Hotspur), 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 scheduled 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 Fans can stay updated through Sky Sports’ WhatsApp channel for the latest news, video highlights, in‑depth analysis, and more. The broadcaster also offers flexible streaming options via the Sky Sports app, allowing supporters to follow every moment of Scotland’s campaign wherever they are.

As Pocognoli’s tenure begins, the emphasis will be on blending seasoned campaigners with emerging talent, preserving the collective spirit that defines Scottish football, and delivering performances that reignite the passion of the nation’s supporters. The journey back to Nations League A may be challenging, but with a balanced squad and a clear vision, the new manager believes Scotland can chart a path toward renewed success.