Sebastien Pocognoli, the freshly 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 fresh talent. Among the newcomers are Sevilla forward Robbie Ure and Brøndby defender Luis Binks, both earning their first full caps for Scotland under the new regime. The squad also includes Celtic centre‑back Colby Donovan, Hearts winger Josh McPake and Swansea City midfielder Stephen Welsh, each of whom has been handed a maiden senior call‑up. Their inclusion signals Pocognoli's intention to blend youthful enthusiasm with experienced heads as he begins to shape his own footballing identity for the national side.
A long‑awaited return is also on the cards for Hull City striker Oli McBurnie, who last appeared for Scotland in 2021. After a period of speculation and public debate over his form and fitness, the former Premier League forward has finally been recalled to the senior set‑up. Between the posts, veteran goalkeeper Scott Bain and Bradford City keeper Jon McCracken have been reinstated following the retirement of long‑time number 1 Craig Gordon after the World Cup.
Their experience will be valuable as Scotland look to stabilise the defensive unit. Napoli midfielder Billy Gilmour is back in the fold after a knee injury forced him to withdraw from Steve Clarke’s final squad before the tournament. His return adds creative depth to the midfield, offering a blend of technical skill and composure on the ball. Stoke City defender Luke Graham, who impressed during Scotland’s pre‑World Cup training camp in May and enjoyed a breakthrough season with Dundee, has earned his first senior call‑up.
Graham has been a mainstay for the Potters, featuring in every minute of their recent run of three wins and a draw in the Championship, and his consistency earned him a place in Pocognoli’s plans. Other players receiving a nod include Sassuolo’s versatile full‑back Josh Doig, Torino’s forward Kieron Bowie, Udinese’s promising midfielder Lennon Miller, and Hearts striker James Wilson. All have been recalled to the squad, reflecting the manager’s desire to broaden the talent pool. Notably absent are several key figures from the World Cup squad.
Napoli’s Scott McTominay is sidelined while recovering from minor heart surgery, and Rangers’ prolific striker Lawrence Shankland is out with a hamstring injury. Torino forward Che Adams also remains unavailable due to fitness concerns.
In total, twelve players who featured at the World Cup have been omitted from Pocognoli’s inaugural selection. Among them are Rangers centre‑back John Souttar, Celtic’s Anthony Ralston, Hibernian defender Grant Hanley, Wrexham midfielder Dominic Hyam, Manchester United youngster Tyler Fletcher, Millwall’s Lyndon Dykes, Stoke forward George Hirst and Swansea striker Ross Stewart. Luis Binks, the 25‑year‑old Brøndby captain, brings a wealth of experience from the Danish SuperLiga. Although he previously represented Scotland at under‑18 level, he later switched allegiance to England’s youth teams before returning to the Scottish senior set‑up.
His leadership qualities and defensive versatility are expected to be assets for the new manager. Robbie Ure’s journey to the national team is equally compelling. After a prolific spell with Swedish side Sirius—where he scored 20 goals in as many games—Ure secured a high‑profile transfer to La Liga club Sevilla.
The 22‑year‑old is also eligible to represent Ukraine through a grand‑parental link, but has chosen to pursue his international career with Scotland. His move to Spain’s top flight demonstrates his ability to adapt to a higher level of competition. Josh McPake’s inclusion rewards his impressive form since joining Hearts from St Johnstone in the summer. The winger’s pace and directness have made him a regular starter for the Edinburgh club, and his performances have not gone unnoticed by the national team staff.
Stephen Welsh, who earned his place after a successful loan spell at Motherwell from Celtic, adds depth to the midfield. His versatility allows him to operate both centrally and on the flanks, providing tactical flexibility. Colby Donovan, a right‑back who has featured in every Celtic match this season, replaces his club teammate Anthony Ralston in the squad.
Donovan’s consistency and defensive solidity make him a reliable option for Pocognoli’s back line. Goalkeeping options listed by the manager include Scott Bain (Falkirk), Angus Gunn (San Jose Earthquakes), Liam Kelly (Rangers) and Jon McCracken (Bradford City).
Their varied club backgrounds give Pocognoli a range of styles to choose from for the crucial goalkeeper position. The full defensive roster comprises 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 selections feature 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 are Kieron Bowie (Sassuolo), Findlay Curtis (Rangers), Ben Gannon‑Doak (Bournemouth), Oli McBurnie (Hull City), Robbie Ure (Sevilla) and James Wilson (Hearts).
After announcing the squad, Pocognoli explained his philosophy: "The most important thing 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 how they fit our intended system, injury status and recent playing time. I believe we have a good balance of experienced campaigners, fresh faces, first‑cap players and returning veterans.
The goal is to pass on the DNA, heritage and culture of Scottish football while starting a new chapter." Former Scotland striker James McFadden, speaking to Sky Sports News, praised Ure’s development: "Robbie’s been on our radar for a while, especially after his standout season in Sweden. Moving to Sevilla proves he can compete at a high level. It’s encouraging to see a player take an unconventional route, work hard abroad, and now get his chance with the national team." McFadden also defended McBurnie’s recall, noting the striker’s perseverance: "Oli deserves this opportunity.
He’s faced criticism over the past few years, but his dedication to improving his game, especially after returning to the Premier League, shows he’s ready to fight for the number nine shirt." The upcoming fixtures for Scotland include matches against Slovenia, Switzerland, North Macedonia and a repeat clash with Slovenia later in the year, providing Pocognoli ample opportunity to test his new selections and establish a playing identity that blends youthful vigor with seasoned professionalism. Fans can stay updated on squad news, match analysis and exclusive video content by following Sky Sports on WhatsApp, where the latest sports headlines, features and insights are regularly shared.