Sebastien Pocognoli, the freshly appointed manager of the Scotland national team, has unveiled his first selection, introducing five players who will earn their first full international caps. Among the newcomers are Sevilla forward Robbie Ure and Brøndby defender Luis Binks, both of whom have impressed at club level and now receive a chance to represent Scotland on the senior stage.
Joining them are Celtic's versatile right‑back Colby Donovan, Hearts winger Josh McPake, and Swansea City midfielder Stephen Welsh. All three have been rewarded for consistent performances in the domestic leagues and will travel with the squad for the upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures.
The announcement also marks the long‑awaited return of Hull City striker Oli McBurnie, who last wore the Scotland shirt in 2021. After a period of criticism and speculation surrounding his commitment, the former Premier League forward has been given another opportunity to prove his worth at international level. Between the posts, veteran keepers Scott Bain and Jon McCracken have been recalled following the retirement of Craig Gordon after the World Cup.
Their experience will provide stability as Pocognoli looks to reshape the team's defensive foundation. Napoli midfielder Billy Gilmour is back in the mix after a knee injury forced him out of Steve Clarke's final squad. Gilmour, once hailed as one of Scotland's brightest prospects, now hopes to translate his club form into meaningful contributions for the national side. Stoke City centre‑back Luke Graham earned his place after a breakthrough season with Dundee and participation in Scotland's pre‑World Cup training camp in May.
Graham, who has already accumulated three caps for the under‑21 side, has been a stalwart for the Potters, featuring every minute of their recent run of three wins and a draw in the Championship. Additional call‑ups include Sassuolo duo Josh Doig and Kieron Bowie, Udinese midfielder Lennon Miller, and Hearts forward James Wilson, all of whom have been recalled to add depth and competition across the pitch. Notably absent are several players who featured at the World Cup. Napoli’s Scott McTominay is sidelined while recovering from a minor heart operation, and Rangers striker Lawrence Shankland misses out due to a hamstring injury.
Torino forward Che Adams is also unavailable through injury. In total, twelve World Cup veterans are omitted from Pocognoli’s inaugural list. Further omissions comprise Rangers centre‑back John Souttar, Celtic midfielder 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’s Ross Stewart. Luis Binks, the 25‑year‑old captain of Danish SuperLiga side Brøndby, brings a unique background: he 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 transfer to La Liga side Sevilla after a prolific spell at Swedish club Sirius, where he scored 20 goals in as many games. The 22‑year‑old also qualifies for Ukraine through a grand‑parental link. Josh McPake’s inclusion reflects his impressive form since moving from St Johnstone to Hearts in the summer, while Stephen Welsh earned his spot after a successful loan at Motherwell from Celtic last season. Right‑back Colby Donovan has been ever‑present for Celtic this campaign, taking the place of his teammate Anthony Ralston in the national setup.
The full squad breakdown is as follows: 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), Kieran Tierney (Celtic), Stephen Welsh (Swansea City) Midfielders: Ryan Christie (Bournemouth), Lewis Ferguson (Bologna), Billy Gilmour (Napoli), John McGinn (Aston Villa), Kenny McLean (Norwich City), Josh McPake (Hearts), Lennon Miller (Udinese) Forwards: Kieron Bowie (Sassuolo), Findlay Curtis (Rangers), Ben Gannon‑Doak (Bournemouth), Oli McBurnie (Hull City), Robbie Ure (Sevilla), James Wilson (Hearts) Pocognoli, speaking after unveiling the roster, emphasized his philosophy: "The most important thing for me is the style of play I want to see on the pitch. My selections are guided by that vision. I could have named many more players, but I had to make choices based on how they fit our tactical approach, injury status, and recent playing time.
I believe we have a balanced mix of experienced campaigners, fresh faces, first‑cap players, and young talent ready to return. The goal is to welcome the newcomers, integrate seasoned veterans, and pass on the DNA, heritage, and culture of Scottish football.
This is the start of a new chapter; what happened before is part of the past, and now we must build something new. It's a fresh opportunity for some and a new beginning for others. From here, it’s about delivering on the field and maintaining the right attitude off it." Former Scotland striker James McFadden, speaking to Sky Sports News, praised Ure’s inclusion: "Robbie has been on our radar for his form in Sweden before the World Cup, but he missed out then. His move to Sevilla proves he can compete at the highest level.
Scotland has struggled to generate competition in attack for years, and Robbie’s unconventional path shows his bravery and determination. He deserves respect for carving his own route and focusing on his development." Regarding McBurnie’s recall, McFadden added: "Oli deserves his chance. There’s been a backlash against him over the past few years, but his passion for Scotland is undeniable.
He’s been patient, worked hard away from the spotlight, and now, back in the Premier League, he’s ready to stake claim to the number nine role." The squad will face a series of Nations League matches in the coming weeks: Slovenia on September 26 (2 pm), Switzerland on September 29 (7.45 pm), North Macedonia on October 3 (7.45 pm), a return fixture against Slovenia on October 6 (7.45 pm), another clash with North Macedonia on November 13 (7.45 pm), and finally Switzerland on November 16 (7.45 pm). Fans are encouraged to follow Sky Sports on WhatsApp for real‑time updates, video highlights, analysis, and more. For those seeking extra excitement, a Super 6 competition runs alongside the fixtures, offering a chance to win £1 million at no cost. The tournament adds an interactive layer to the international campaign, keeping supporters engaged throughout the season.