Sebastien Pocognoli, the newly appointed manager of the Scotland national football team, told Sky Sports that the timing was right for a fresh approach and that his inaugural selection already offers a "good mix" of talent. The Belgian coach arrived in the warm climate of La Manga this week to meet his players for the first time, preparing them for the upcoming Nations League fixture against Slovenia. In his opening roster, Pocognoli handed five players their first full caps for Scotland, signalling a 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. This blend of seasoned veterans and youthful prospects reflects the manager’s intent to maintain the team’s core strengths while also evolving its style of play.
The extended international break, which features four Nations League matches, provides Pocognoli with a valuable window to work closely with his squad. As the successor to Steve Clarke, he is keen to imprint his philosophy and assess how his ideas translate on the pitch.
"We have plenty of experience in the team, there are some new faces and young lads, and I think we have a good mix," he 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." Pocognoli emphasized that change was necessary at this juncture, not as a radical overhaul but as a strategic adjustment aligned with the timelines set by the Scottish Football Association. He highlighted that performance at club level, injury status, and overall form are key factors in shaping his selections.
"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. "It’s also performance in your club, injury, and at the same time you need to make the change." He praised the legacy left by his predecessor, noting that the groundwork laid by previous coaches provides a solid foundation for future success. "What was provided in the past is massive to use it for the future," Pocognoli remarked, underscoring the importance of continuity. He also spoke about the role of the coaching staff, insisting that alignment on objectives is essential.
"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." The manager’s vision for the team is simple yet ambitious: a cohesive unit 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," he added.
Pocognoli’s tenure officially kicks off in Ljubljana on Saturday when Scotland face Slovenia. The squad will then travel to Hampden Park for a high‑profile clash with Switzerland three days later.
Subsequent fixtures include a trip to North Macedonia on October 3, a return to Glasgow for a second meeting with Slovenia on October 6, and further matches against North Macedonia and Switzerland in November. Scotland’s recent relegation from Nations League A after a play‑off loss to Greece means they will compete in League B this season. Pocognoli acknowledges the challenge but remains optimistic. "There are many ways to be successful," the 39‑year‑old 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 stressed the importance of on‑field leadership, the integration of young talent, and maintaining team cohesion. "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," Pocognoli concluded.
Below is the full squad list announced by the manager: 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) The upcoming schedule is 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 appointment marks a new chapter for Scottish football, with the manager aiming to blend experience and youth, preserve the team’s identity, and ultimately restore Scotland to the top tier of European competition.