Sebastien Pocognoli, the newly appointed manager of the Scotland national team, told Sky Sports that the moment had arrived for a fresh direction and that his inaugural selection already offers a "good mix" of talent. The Belgian coach arrived in the sun‑drenched training camp at La Manga this week, where he met his players for the first time ahead of the Nations League opening fixture against Slovenia. Pocognoli’s initial roster includes five debutants who earned their first full Scotland caps, while Blackburn Rovers midfielder Kristi Montgomery was added after the withdrawals of Kieran Tierney and Kenny McLean.
The extended international break – featuring four Nations League matches – gives the new boss a rare window to embed his ideas, assess the squad, and begin the transition from Steve Clarke’s era. "We have a lot of experience in the group, a handful of new faces and some young lads, and I think we have a good mix," Pocognoli explained to Sky Sports News.
"The key is to keep the balance right and preserve what makes Scotland strong – the cohesion and the DNA of the team – and that must remain intact." He stressed that the timing of the change was crucial. "We are following a timetable, and the shift we need is about creating the style of play we want on the pitch.
It isn’t just about swapping personnel; it’s about how the team functions together." The manager also highlighted practical factors such as club form and injuries. "Performance at your club, fitness, and injury status all feed into the decisions we make.
The resources we had in the past are massive, and we will use them to build the future." Pocognoli underlined the importance of a harmonious coaching staff. "Finding the right balance means experienced players will continue to guide the younger ones, and the coaches must be aligned on our objectives.
I want a side that is truly together – attacking as a unit, defending as a unit – that is the essence of the Scotland mentality." The Pocognoli era officially kicks off in Ljubljana on Saturday when Scotland face Slovenia, followed by a home clash with Switzerland at Hampden Park three days later. The schedule then takes the squad to North Macedonia on 3 October before returning to Glasgow for a second meeting with Slovenia on 6 October. Scotland were relegated from Nations League A after a play‑off loss to Greece last year and will compete in League B this season. Pocognoli, 39, outlined his ambitions: "There are many ways to be successful.
In the Nations League my goal is to stay competitive, climb the rankings and ultimately return to League A." He added, "On the pitch we need to recognise our leaders, give the young players opportunities, maintain team cohesion and, of course, excite the supporters. If we can combine solid results with that excitement, I’ll be very 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), 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: - 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 Pocognoli’s vision blends respect for the established core with a clear pathway for emerging talent, aiming to rebuild a cohesive unit capable of challenging for promotion back to the top tier of the Nations League while rekindling the passion of the Scottish fan base.