Sebastien Pocognoli, the freshly appointed manager of the Scotland national team, told Sky Sports that the time had come for a fresh approach and that his initial selection already offers a "good mix" of talent. The Belgian coach arrived in La Manga this week to meet his players for the first time, taking advantage of the sunny training environment before the squad’s Nations League opener against Slovenia.
In his debut roster, Pocognoli handed five newcomers their first full senior caps for Scotland. Among them, Blackburn Rovers midfielder Kristi Montgomery was added after the withdrawals of established internationals Kieran Tierney and Kenny McLean. The extended international break – featuring four Nations League fixtures – provides the new boss with a valuable window to work closely with his group, fine‑tune tactics, and embed his philosophy as the successor to 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 stressed the importance of preserving the cohesion and "DNA" that have historically made Scotland a resilient side, while also injecting fresh ideas to keep the balance right. He added, "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 that experience will remain a cornerstone of his plan.
"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 said. He also underscored a simple yet powerful mantra: a united team that attacks together and defends together, embodying the traditional Scottish mentality.
The manager’s first test will take place in Ljubljana on Saturday when Scotland face Slovenia. Three days later, the team will host Switzerland at Hampden Park, followed by a trip to North Macedonia on October 3 and a return to Glasgow for a second meeting with Slovenia on October 6. Scotland’s recent demotion from Nations League A after a play‑off loss to Greece means they are now competing in League B, making every point crucial for a swift return to the top tier.
Speaking about the broader objectives, the 39‑year‑old said, "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 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, 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 tenure begins with a clear mandate: blend seasoned campaigners with promising newcomers, maintain the team’s collective spirit, and deliver results that reignite the enthusiasm of the Scottish fan base. By emphasizing unity, tactical balance, and a forward‑looking mindset, he hopes to steer Scotland back toward the top of European international football.