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 earning their first full international caps are Sevilla forward Robbie Ure and Brøndby defender Luis Binks, both of whom have been handed the honour of representing Scotland for the first time under the new coach's guidance.
The squad also includes Celtic's versatile defender Colby Donovan, Hearts winger Josh McPake, and Swansea City midfielder Stephen Welsh, each receiving their maiden call‑up to the senior side. Their inclusion signals Pocognoli's intention to blend youth and experience as he reshapes the team's tactical identity.
A long‑awaited return to the squad is also seen in Hull City striker Oli McBurnie, who last featured for Scotland in 2021. After a period of absence, the forward has been recalled, offering the national side an additional option up front. In goal, the veteran duo of Scott Bain and Jon McCracken have been reinstated following the retirement of long‑serving keeper Craig Gordon after the World Cup. Napoli midfielder Billy Gilmour makes his comeback after a knee injury forced him to withdraw from Steve Clarke's final squad.
Gilmour’s return adds creative depth to the midfield, while Luke Graham, who impressed during Scotland's pre‑World Cup training camp in May and enjoyed a breakthrough season with Dundee, earns a place in the 25‑man roster. Graham, a Stoke City defender, has already amassed three caps at under‑21 level and has been a constant presence as his club secured three victories and a draw in their last four Championship matches. Further additions include Sassuolo duo Josh Doig and Kieron Bowie, Udinese midfielder Lennon Miller, and Hearts attacker James Wilson, all of whom have been recalled to the national pool.
Notably absent from this first Pocognoli selection are several players who featured at the World Cup, including Napoli’s Scott McTominay, who is recovering from minor heart surgery, and Rangers striker Lawrence Shankland, sidelined with a hamstring problem. Torino forward Che Adams also misses out due to injury. A total of twelve World Cup veterans are omitted from the new list.
Among those left out 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’s Ross Stewart. Luis Binks, who captains Danish SuperLiga side Brøndby, is a dual‑nationality player who previously represented Scotland at under‑18 level before switching allegiance to England’s youth teams.
His leadership experience at club level is expected to translate well to the international stage. Robbie Ure, a product of the Rangers academy, secured a high‑profile transfer to LaLiga side Sevilla after a prolific spell with Swedish club Sirius, where he scored an astonishing 20 goals in 20 appearances. At 22, Ure is also eligible to play for Ukraine through a grandparental link, adding an extra layer of intrigue to his international future.
Josh McPake has been rewarded for his impressive form since moving from St Johnstone to Hearts during the summer, while Stephen Welsh earns his place after a successful loan spell at Motherwell from Celtic last season. Right‑back Colby Donovan, a regular starter for Celtic this campaign, replaces his club teammate Anthony Ralston in the national setup. The goalkeeping department lists Scott Bain (Falkirk), Angus Gunn (San Jose Earthquakes), Liam Kelly (Rangers) and Jon McCracken (Bradford City) as the options between the sticks. The defensive line 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 selections include 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). Speaking after the announcement, Pocognoli emphasized his philosophy: "The most important factor for me is the style of play I want to implement on the pitch. My selections have been driven by that vision.
I could have named many more players, but I had to make tough choices based on the system we intend to use, injury status and recent playing time. I believe we have a balanced mix of seasoned veterans, fresh faces, first‑cap players and those returning to the fold. The goal is to welcome the newcomers, preserve the DNA and heritage of Scottish football, and start a new chapter. Past events belong to history; now we must build something new.
This is a fresh opportunity for some and a new beginning for others. Ultimately, performance on the field and the right attitude off it will define us." Former Scotland striker James McFadden, speaking to Sky Sports News, praised Ure’s inclusion: "Robbie Ure has been on our radar for a while, especially after his standout season in Sweden leading up to the World Cup, though he missed out then.
His move to Sevilla proves he can compete at the highest level. Scotland has lacked depth in certain areas for years, and his arrival adds healthy competition.
Robbie took an unconventional route, moving abroad to develop his career, and he deserves respect for his bravery and dedication." Regarding Oli McBurnie’s recall, McFadden added: "Oli certainly deserves this chance. There has been some backlash against him over recent years, but his passion for wearing the Scotland shirt is evident.
He’s had to be patient, work on himself, and now he’s back in the Premier League, ready to fight for the number nine role." The upcoming fixtures for Scotland include a clash with Slovenia on September 26 at 2 pm, a home game against Switzerland on September 29 at 7.45 pm, followed by matches against North Macedonia on October 3, another meeting with Slovenia on October 6, a return fixture versus North Macedonia on November 13, and finally a showdown with Switzerland on November 16. Fans are encouraged to stay updated via Sky Sports’ WhatsApp channel for the latest news, video highlights, analysis and more. In addition to the on‑field action, Sky Sports is running a Super 6 competition where participants can enter for free for a chance to win £1 million, adding an extra layer of excitement for supporters following the national team’s journey under Pocognoli’s new leadership.