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 showcases a "good mix" of talent. The Belgian coach is meeting his players for the first time this week at the training camp in sunny La Manga, a preparation period that leads up to Scotland's Nations League opener against Slovenia.
In his first call‑up, Pocognoli handed full international debuts to five newcomers, while also bringing in Blackburn Rovers midfielder Kristi Montgomery after the withdrawals of Kieran Tierney and Kenny McLean. The extended international break—four Nations League fixtures in quick succession—offers the new boss a rare window to work closely with his squad and embed his ideas as he steps into Steve Clarke's shoes.
"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. "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 stressed that the timing of the change was crucial. "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. 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." Pocognoli highlighted the importance of blending seasoned veterans with emerging talent. "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. 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." 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.
After those fixtures, the squad will travel to North Macedonia on October 3 before returning to Glasgow for a second meeting with Slovenia on October 6. Scotland were relegated from Nations League A after a play‑off loss to Greece last year and will now compete in League B. Pocognoli, 39, outlined his objectives for the competition: "There are many ways to be successful.
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. But just to recognise some principles on the pitch, recognise who are the leaders on the pitch, see some young lads playing, see team cohesion on the pitch.
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." 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). Pocognoli's approach centres on preserving the "DNA" that has traditionally defined Scottish football—physicality, collective spirit, and a relentless work ethic—while introducing tactical flexibility and a modern attacking mindset.
He believes that the blend of veteran leaders such as Andy Robertson and Scott McKenna with youthful prospects like Luis Binks and Billy Gilmour will create a dynamic environment where experience guides ambition. The manager also underscored the role of the coaching staff in delivering a unified vision. "We need to be aligned about what we want to achieve together," he said, indicating that the backroom team will be instrumental in translating his philosophy into daily training routines and match‑day strategies. Fans can follow the upcoming fixtures via Sky Sports' streaming options, with the first match against Slovenia scheduled for 2 pm on September 26, followed by the Switzerland game at 7.45 pm on September 29.
The campaign continues with the North Macedonia encounter on October 3, another Slovenia meeting on October 6, and the final two fixtures in November—Scotland versus North Macedonia on the 13th and Scotland versus Switzerland on the 16th, both kicking off at 7.45 pm. As Pocognoli settles into his role, the overarching goal remains clear: to re‑ignite enthusiasm among the Scottish supporters, to climb the Nations League rankings, and ultimately to restore the team to League A where the nation can once again compete with Europe’s elite. The blend of seasoned campaigners, fresh faces, and a clear tactical blueprint aims to deliver a cohesive, competitive side capable of achieving those ambitions.