Sebastien Pocognoli, the newly appointed manager of the Scotland national football team, told Sky Sports that the time was right for a fresh direction and that his inaugural selection already offers a "good mix" of talent. The Belgian coach, who steps into the role after Steve Clarke, is meeting his players for the first time this week in the warm, sunny climate of La Manga, where they are preparing for their Nations League opener against Slovenia. In his first squad, Pocognoli handed five players their first full senior caps for Scotland, signalling his willingness to inject new blood into the side. Among the newcomers is Blackburn Rovers midfielder Kristi Montgomery, who was called up after the withdrawals of established internationals Kieran Tierney and Kenny McLean.
The extended international break – featuring four Nations League fixtures – gives the new boss a valuable window to work with the group, assess the squad’s dynamics, and begin imprinting his footballing philosophy. "We have plenty of experience in the team, there are some new faces and young lads, and I think we have a good mix," Pocognoli explained to Sky Sports News.
He stressed the importance of maintaining the balance that has historically made Scotland strong, noting that cohesion and a clear "DNA" are the foundations of the side’s identity. "We need to make sure that the balance stays right, and to keep what makes the Scotland team really strong, it was the cohesion and really proper DNA in the team, and this needs to stay," he added. The manager also highlighted that the change in leadership is timely. "The needed change was at this moment, because we follow the timelines, and the change is just about the things that we want to create on the pitch," Pocognoli said.
He pointed to club performance, injury status, and overall form as factors that dictate selection decisions. "It's also performance in your club, injury, and at the same time you need to make the change," he noted, underscoring the pragmatic approach he intends to adopt. Pocognoli believes that the groundwork laid by his predecessors provides a solid platform for future success.
"What was provided in the past is massive to use it for the future," he remarked, acknowledging the legacy while emphasizing the need to evolve. He called for a harmonious relationship between experienced veterans and the coaching staff, insisting that everyone must be aligned on shared objectives. "It's to find the right balance, like I said, so the experienced players will be important to continue to take care of this, and on the coaching staff point of view, we need to be aligned about what we want to achieve together," he said. The new manager’s vision is simple yet ambitious: a united team that attacks and defends as one, embodying the traditional Scottish mentality.
"I want to see a team who are just really together, it's quite basic, attack together, defend together, but that's part of the Scotland mentality," Pocognoli explained. 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 October 3, before returning to Glasgow for a second encounter with Slovenia on October 6. Scotland’s recent relegation from Nations League A after a playoff loss to Greece last year means they will be competing in the second tier this season, adding extra motivation to climb back up. At 39, the Belgian manager outlined his priorities for the Nations League: stay competitive, improve the nation’s ranking, and ultimately earn promotion back to League A.
"There are many ways to be successful," he said. "For me, in the Nations League, it's to stay competitive and try to be as much as possible higher in the ranking to go to League A." Beyond results, Pocognoli wants to see leadership emerge on the pitch, young players develop, and the team’s cohesion strengthen.
He also highlighted the importance of energising the fan base. "Also, to get the supporters excited. If we can combine with the result, and that's why we do this job, I would be really happy," he concluded.
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 (Brondby), 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 as follows: - 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 early statements suggest a blend of continuity and renewal, with a clear emphasis on team unity, tactical balance, and a desire to bring the Scottish supporters back into the excitement of international football. The next few months will reveal how his ideas translate onto the pitch as Scotland aims to reclaim a place among Europe’s elite in the Nations League.