When Steve Clarke stepped down as the manager of the Scotland national side, the Tartan Army’s appetite for a fresh direction was palpable. Behind the scenes, a transformation was already underway, while on the pitch the team began to show signs of evolution, albeit in intermittent bursts. Sebastien Pocognoli, the new head coach, brought a philosophy that is fundamentally forward‑looking, attacking, and assertive – exactly what he promised when he accepted the role. Yet the reality of his approach has turned out to be more nuanced than many expected when the 39‑year‑old, with a clean‑cut appearance, first entered Hampden Park as the emblem of a modern, progressive Scotland.
During his inaugural training camp, supporters were given a glimpse of the spectrum of outcomes that have already unfolded under his guidance: the promising performance against North Macedonia on foreign soil, the disappointing home defeat to Switzerland, and the outright chaotic encounter with Slovenia on Scottish turf. The match versus Slovenia, in particular, encapsulated the good, the bad and the ugly in a single 90‑minute package, prompting a deeper look at what the new regime is attempting to achieve. Beyond the immediate tactical ramifications – which could have far‑reaching effects on Scotland’s seeding for the Euro 2028 qualifiers – three clear take‑aways emerge from Pocognoli’s first quartet of games. **1.
The Return of the Back‑Three** Pocognoli’s preferred formation at his former clubs Monaco and Union Saint‑Gilloise was a three‑centre‑back system, a structure that also served Steve Clarke well in the early stages of his tenure. Consequently, the reintroduction of a back‑three should not come as a surprise. The real point of discussion, however, lies in how that shape is being employed on the field.
In theory, the set‑up is logical: Scotland has been deprived of natural wingers for nearly ten years, relying heavily on full‑backs to provide width. With emerging talents such as 20‑year‑old Ben Gannon‑Doak, alongside Josh McPake and Findlay Curtis, the question became where these creative wide players would slot into the system. Gannon‑Doak was deployed as a wing‑back in both of Scotland’s final two fixtures, while long‑time captain Andy Robertson occupied the opposite flank.
This asymmetrical arrangement – a natural winger on one side and a traditional full‑back on the other – was intended to give the side greater flexibility. In practice, however, a shortage of deep‑running outlets made the shape appear more rigid than elastic. When Pocognoli switched to a back‑four in the dying moments of the loss to Slovenia, the inclusion of Curtis and McPake as outright wingers immediately added a sharper edge, suggesting that the back‑three may still need fine‑tuning to maximise its potential.
**2. Adjustments in the Attacking Block** The only major alteration Pocognoli has made to his starting formation concerns the forward line. For his first three matches he employed a 3‑5‑2, positioning John McGinn in a deeper role behind two traditional number‑9 strikers.
Against Slovenia he altered the shape to a 3‑4‑2‑1, allowing McGinn and Ryan Christie to support Oli McBurnie as a pair of advanced play‑makers. Throughout the camp, several forwards – McBurnie, Kieron Bowie and Robbie Ure – have shown flashes of brilliance, but it is likely that only one will cement a regular starting spot in the strongest XI.
McGinn, who recently matched Lawrie Reilly’s record to become Scotland’s fourth‑highest scorer after converting a penalty versus North Macedonia, is expected to partner the returning veteran Scott McTominay once the Napoli midfielder fully recovers from a minor heart procedure. Their partnership has been one of Scotland’s most potent attacking duos for almost a decade, and it seems inevitable that Pocognoli will build his system around them.
The lingering question is whether the tactical tweaks will be driven by the qualities of the personnel or by the overall philosophy of the team. **3. The Evolving Role of Billy Gilmour** At the centre of Pocognoli’s press strategy sits 25‑year‑old Billy Gilmour, who celebrated his 50th cap during the camp.
Previously a deep‑lying playmaker for Chelsea, Gilmour has been re‑cast by the new manager as a more advanced midfielder – a “quarterback‑to‑seeker” hybrid. In this role he is tasked with using his exceptional technical skill to break down defensive blocks while also applying relentless pressure to win the ball back high up the pitch.
This tactical gamble carries risks. Gilmour’s advanced positioning often leaves Scotland exposed to swift counter‑attacks, especially given the relative lack of pace in the back‑three during transitional phases. Moreover, his dual responsibilities – orchestrating attacks and contributing defensively – demand a high energy output, potentially leading to fatigue over the course of a match.
Nevertheless, many fans already regard him as the standout performer of the camp, and regardless of whether he ultimately settles at a defensive‑midfield (six), central‑midfield (eight) or attacking‑midfield (ten) role, he is poised to remain a pivotal figure under Pocognoli’s stewardship. In summary, Pocognoli’s first foray with Scotland has highlighted a willingness to revive familiar structures, such as the back‑three, while also experimenting with the attacking shape to accommodate both emerging talent and seasoned veterans.
The integration of Gilmour as a high‑pressing, creative engine underscores a broader ambition to make Scotland a more proactive, possession‑oriented side. As the team prepares for the upcoming fixtures and the crucial Euro 2028 qualifying campaign, these early lessons will undoubtedly shape the tactical identity that Pocognoli aims to imprint on the national side.