Sebastien Pocognoli, the newly appointed manager of the Scotland national football team, told Sky Sports that the time had come for a fresh direction and that his initial selection already offers a "good mix" of talent and experience. The Belgian coach is meeting his players for the first time this week, training under the warm Mediterranean sun in La Manga as they prepare for their Nations League opener against Slovenia. In his debut roster, Pocognoli handed full international caps to five newcomers, signalling his willingness to inject fresh blood into the squad. Among those called up was Blackburn Rovers midfielder Kristi Montgomery, who was added after the withdrawals of Kieran Tierney and Kenny McLean.
The extended international break, which includes four Nations League fixtures, gives the new boss a valuable window to work closely with his group, assess the dynamics, and embed his ideas as he steps into the shoes of 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 explained to Sky Sports News. He emphasized the importance of maintaining the balance that has historically made Scotland a cohesive unit.
"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 highlighted 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," he said, noting that club performance, injuries, and form all factor into his selection decisions. He praised the foundations laid by his predecessors, stating that they provide a solid platform for future progress: "What was provided in the past is massive to use it for the future." Pocognoli stressed that experience will remain a cornerstone of his approach. "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 remarked.
He also spoke about the cultural identity of Scottish football: "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 encounter with Slovenia on October 6. Scotland, having been relegated from Nations League A after a play‑off loss to Greece last year, will be looking to climb back to the top tier. "There are many ways to be successful," the 39‑year‑old manager continued.
"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 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 schedule is 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.
Pocognoli hopes that a blend of seasoned veterans and emerging talent will not only deliver results but also reignite the passion of the Scottish fan base, delivering a style of play that reflects the nation's proud footballing heritage while embracing modern tactical innovations.