Sebastien Pocognoli, the freshly appointed manager of the Scotland national team, has unveiled his first selection, featuring five players receiving their very first senior caps. Among the newcomers are Sevilla striker Robbie Ure and Brøndby defender Luis Binks, both of whom have impressed at club level and earned a place in the new head coach's plans.
Joining them are Celtic's versatile full‑back Colby Donovan, Hearts winger Josh McPake, and Swansea City midfielder Stephen Welsh. The trio have been handed the opportunity to prove themselves in the upcoming Nations League fixtures, marking a significant step in their international careers.
The squad also sees the long‑awaited return of Hull City forward Oli McBurnie, who has not featured for Scotland since 2021. His recall reflects both his resurgence in form and the belief that he can contribute to the attacking line‑up. Between the posts, veteran keepers Scott Bain and Jon McCracken have been reinstated following the retirement of long‑serving Craig Gordon after the World Cup.
Their experience will provide stability as Pocognoli looks to build a defensive foundation. Napoli midfielder Billy Gilmour is back in the mix after a knee injury forced him to withdraw from Steve Clarke's final squad. Gilmour's technical ability and composure on the ball make him a valuable asset in the midfield. Luke Graham, who impressed during Scotland's pre‑World Cup training camp in May and enjoyed a breakthrough season with Dundee, has earned a call‑up.
The Stoke City defender, a three‑time under‑21 international, has been an ever‑present figure as The Potters amassed three wins and a draw in their last four Championship matches. Additional recalls include Sassuolo forwards Josh Doig and Kieron Bowie, Udinese midfielder Lennon Miller, and Hearts attacker James Wilson. Their inclusion adds depth and variety to the attacking options available to Pocognoli.
Injuries have forced the omission of several key players. Napoli’s Scott McTominay is sidelined while recovering from minor heart surgery, Rangers striker Lawrence Shankland is out with a hamstring problem, and Torino’s Che Adams is also unavailable due to injury. A total of twelve World Cup veterans are missing from the Belgian‑born manager’s inaugural list. Other notable absentees 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 forward George Hirst, and Swansea striker Ross Stewart.
Luis Binks, who captains Danish SuperLiga side Brøndby, is a dual‑nationality player. Although he has previously represented Scotland at under‑18 level, he also featured for England’s youth teams before committing to the senior side. 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 as many games. The 22‑year‑old is also eligible to represent Ukraine through a grandparental link, adding an interesting dimension to his international future.
Josh McPake has earned his place thanks to a string of impressive performances since joining Hearts from St Johnstone in the summer. His pace and creativity on the wing have been vital for the Edinburgh club.
Stephen Welsh arrives after a successful loan stint at Motherwell from Celtic last season, where his midfield work‑rate and ball‑winning ability caught the eye of the national team selectors. Right‑back Colby Donovan has been a regular starter for Celtic this season, earning a call‑up that sees him replace his club teammate Anthony Ralston in the Scotland set‑up.
The full goalkeeper roster includes Scott Bain (Falkirk), Angus Gunn (San Jose Earthquakes), Liam Kelly (Rangers) and Jon McCracken (Bradford City). The defensive line‑up 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 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, the forwards include 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 tactical vision: "The most important thing for me is the style of play I want to see on the pitch. My selections have been guided by that principle.
I could have named many more players, but I had to make difficult choices based on the system we intend to implement, injury status and recent playing time. I believe we have a balanced mix of seasoned internationals, fresh faces, first‑cap newcomers and returning veterans. The goal is to blend experience with youth, to pass on the DNA, heritage and culture of Scottish football, and to start a new chapter. This is an opportunity for many players to prove themselves, and we will judge them by their attitude on and off the field." Former Scotland striker James McFadden, speaking to Sky Sports News, praised Ure's progress: "Robbie Ure has been on our radar ever since his standout season in Sweden before the World Cup, but he missed out previously.
His move to Sevilla shows he can compete at a high level. He's taken an unconventional path, and his bravery in moving abroad deserves respect." Regarding McBurnie's recall, McFadden added: "Oli deserves this chance. He's faced criticism over the past few years, but his passion for wearing the Scotland shirt is evident.
He's worked hard, regained form in the Premier League, and now has the chance to stake a claim for the number nine role." The upcoming international calendar sees Scotland facing Slovenia on September 26, Switzerland on September 29, North Macedonia on October 3, a return fixture with Slovenia on October 6, another clash with North Macedonia on November 13, and a final Nations League meeting with Switzerland on November 16. Fans are encouraged to follow Sky Sports on WhatsApp for the latest updates, video highlights and analysis.