Sebastien Pocognoli, the newly appointed manager of the Scotland national football team, has expressed optimism about the composition of his inaugural squad, describing it as a "good mix" of experience and youthful energy. Speaking to Sky Sports, the Belgian coach emphasized that a change was overdue and that his first selection reflects the blend of seasoned veterans and fresh talent he believes will be crucial for the team's upcoming challenges.
The new head coach arrived in the sunny training camp at La Manga this week, where he met his players for the first time ahead of Scotland's Nations League opener against Slovenia. The gathering marks the start of a relatively long international break that includes four Nations League fixtures, giving Pocognoli a valuable window to instill his ideas, assess player performances, and begin shaping the identity he wants for the side. Among the 26-man roster, five players earned their first full Scotland caps.
Notably, Blackburn Rovers midfielder Kristi Montgomery was called up after the withdrawals of Kieran Tierney and Kenny McLean, providing a chance for a new face to make an impression on the international stage. The inclusion of Montgomery and other newcomers underscores Pocognoli's intention to refresh the squad while retaining a core of players who have been part of the team under former manager Steve Clarke. "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 told Sky Sports News. He went on to stress the importance of maintaining the balance that has historically made Scotland competitive: cohesion, a clear playing DNA, and a collective mindset.
"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 explained. The coach also highlighted that the timing of the change was appropriate.
"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 said, adding that performance at club level, injury status, and the overall strategic direction all factor into selection decisions. He praised the groundwork laid by his predecessors, noting that past efforts provide a solid platform for future development: "What was provided in the past is massive to use it for the future." Pocognoli stressed that the experienced members of the squad will play a pivotal role in guiding younger players and preserving the team's core values. From a coaching perspective, he called for alignment among his staff, stating, "We need to be aligned about what we want to achieve together." His vision for the team is simple yet ambitious: a side that attacks and defends as a unit, embodying the traditional Scottish mentality of unity and determination. The first match of the Pocognoli era will take place in Ljubljana on Saturday, where Scotland will face Slovenia.
Three days later, the team will return to Hampden Park for a high‑profile clash with Switzerland. The schedule continues with a trip to North Macedonia on October 3, followed by a home fixture against Slovenia on October 6. These fixtures come after Scotland's relegation from Nations League A following a play‑off loss to Greece last year, meaning the side now competes in League B and will aim to secure promotion back to the top tier.
When asked about his objectives for the Nations League, the 39‑year‑old manager outlined a multi‑layered approach. "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 said. Beyond the points table, Pocognoli highlighted three key pillars: identifying on‑field leaders, giving opportunities to emerging talents, and fostering team cohesion. He also mentioned 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." 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 Hotspur), 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 scheduled as follows: - Slovenia vs Scotland – 26 September, kickoff 14:00 GMT - Scotland vs Switzerland – 29 September, kickoff 19:45 GMT - North Macedonia vs Scotland – 3 October, kickoff 19:45 GMT - Scotland vs Slovenia – 6 October, kickoff 19:45 GMT - Scotland vs North Macedonia – 13 November, kickoff 19:45 GMT - Switzerland vs Scotland – 16 November, kickoff 19:45 GMT Pocognoli's early remarks suggest a clear intent to blend continuity with renewal, leveraging the experience of players like Andy Robertson and Scott McKenna while integrating newcomers such as Kristi Montgomery and Luis Binks. By fostering a unified playing philosophy and encouraging a collective spirit, he hopes to restore Scotland's standing in European competition and reignite the passion of its supporters.
The coming months will be a crucial test of his ideas, as the team strives to climb back into Nations League A and lay the groundwork for future success on the international stage.