Sebastien Pocognoli, the newly appointed manager of the Scotland national football team, told Sky Sports that his first selection represents a "good mix" of experience and youthful energy, signaling a fresh direction for the side. The Belgian coach arrived in La Manga this week to meet his players for the first time, taking advantage of the warm Spanish climate to conduct his inaugural training camp before the team's Nations League opener against Slovenia. In his initial roster, Pocognoli handed five newcomers their first full caps for Scotland, a clear indication that he is willing to broaden the talent pool.
Among those called up is Blackburn Rovers midfielder Kristi Montgomery, who was added after the withdrawals of established internationals Kieran Tierney and Kenny McLean. The extended international break—four Nations League fixtures in total—offers the new boss valuable time to embed his ideas, evaluate the squad’s dynamics, and begin the transition from Steve Clarke’s era to his own. "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 competitive: a strong collective spirit, a clear identity, and a cohesive "DNA" that binds the players together on the pitch. The manager highlighted that any change must be carefully calibrated. "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 said.
He added that the timing of the overhaul was appropriate, noting that the national side must evolve in line with the modern game’s demands. "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," he continued. Pocognoli also pointed out that a player’s club performance, injury record, and overall form are critical factors when deciding who earns a place in the squad. "It's also performance in your club, injury, and at the same time you need to make the change.
What was provided in the past is massive to use it for the future," he remarked, indicating that the foundations laid by his predecessor will be leveraged while new strategies are introduced. He emphasized the role of veteran players in guiding the younger cohort.
"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," Pocognoli said. The manager wants a side that operates as a unified organism: attacking in concert, defending as a block, and embodying the traditional Scottish mentality of grit and teamwork.
The Pocognoli era officially kicks off in Ljubljana on Saturday when Scotland face Slovenia. A high‑profile friendly against Switzerland at Hampden Park follows three days later, providing an early test of the new system against a strong European opponent. After the September fixtures, the squad will travel to North Macedonia on October 3 before returning to Glasgow for a second encounter with Slovenia on October 6. Scotland’s recent drop from Nations League A after a play‑off loss to Greece means they are now competing in League B, and Pocognoli’s immediate objective is to restore the team to the top tier.
"There are many ways to be successful," the 39‑year‑old manager 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." He outlined three pillars for progress: tactical discipline, identification of on‑field leaders, and the integration of promising youngsters.
"Recognise who are the leaders on the pitch, see some young lads playing, see team cohesion on the pitch," he noted. Moreover, Pocognoli stressed the importance of rekindling fan enthusiasm. "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 added. The full squad list reflects a blend of domestic and overseas talent.
Goalkeepers include Scott Bain (Falkirk), Angus Gunn (San Jose Earthquakes), Liam Kelly (Rangers) and Jon McCracken (Bradford City). 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) and Stephen Welsh (Swansea City).
Midfield options comprise Ryan Christie (Bournemouth), Lewis Ferguson (Bologna), Billy Gilmour (Napoli), John McGinn (Aston Villa), Josh McPake (Hearts), Lennon Miller (Udinese) and Kristi Montgomery (Blackburn Rovers). 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).
The upcoming fixtures are scheduled as follows: Slovenia vs Scotland on 26 September at 14:00, Scotland vs Switzerland on 29 September at 19:45, North Macedonia vs Scotland on 3 October at 19:45, Scotland vs Slovenia on 6 October at 19:45, Scotland vs North Macedonia on 13 November at 19:45, and Switzerland vs Scotland on 16 November at 19:45. Fans can stay updated via Sky Sports' WhatsApp channel, which offers the latest news, video highlights, analysis and more. As Pocognoli settles into his role, the emphasis will be on building a resilient, cohesive unit capable of competing at the highest level, while also nurturing the next generation of Scottish talent to ensure long‑term success.