In the wake of Steve Clarke's departure as Scotland's national team manager, supporters across the country were eager for a fresh direction. Behind the scenes, a transformation was already underway, while on the pitch the changes manifested in sporadic bursts of promise and setbacks.
Sebastien Pocognoli, the newly appointed boss, brought a playing philosophy that mirrors his own style: proactive, attacking and unrelenting. Yet the expectations placed on a 39‑year‑old newcomer stepping into the iconic Hampden Park doorway were perhaps a bit different from the reality he delivered.
During his first training camp as head coach, we observed three distinct outcomes: the good (a respectable showing against North Macedonia away), the bad (a disappointing home loss to Switzerland) and the ugly (a home defeat to Slovenia). The Slovenian fixture, in particular, encapsulated all three moods in a single performance. Beyond the immediate results, the camp offered clues about tactical adjustments, player roles and the broader implications for Scotland's Euro 2028 qualifying campaign. **1.
The Return of the Back Three** Pocognoli’s preferred formation – a three‑center‑back system – is familiar to him from his days at Monaco and Union Saint‑Gilloise, and it also echoes the set‑up that served Clarke well in the early phases of his tenure. The novelty lies not in the shape itself but in how it is employed with the current squad. On paper the arrangement makes sense: Scotland has long struggled to find natural wingers, relying heavily on full‑backs to provide width.
By deploying a back three, the coach can theoretically free the wing‑backs to push higher up the field while maintaining defensive solidity. The real test, however, was where the creative wide players would slot in. Young talent Ben Gannon‑Doak, only 20, earned a place alongside more experienced full‑backs like Josh McPake and Findlay Curtis.
In the final two matches of the camp Gannon‑Doak was positioned as a wing‑back, with captain Andy Robertson – a veteran centurion – occupying the opposite flank. This asymmetrical setup was intended to give Scotland a more flexible, elastic shape, but the lack of deep‑running options made the side appear more rigid than fluid.
When the game against Slovenia slipped away and Pocognoli switched to a traditional back four in the closing stages, the impact was immediate. Both Curtis and McPake, now playing as outright wingers, seemed more threatening than the wing‑backs they replaced, highlighting the importance of natural wide players in breaking down compact defenses.
**2. Experimentation in Attack** Pocognoli’s only major tweak to his starting eleven concerned the offensive formation.
For his first three fixtures he opted for a 3‑5‑2, placing John McGinn in a deeper midfield role behind a pair of No 9 strikers. Against Slovenia he altered the shape to a 3‑4‑2‑1, allowing McGinn and Ryan Christie to support Oli McBurnie as dual play‑makers.
Throughout the camp several forwards impressed at different moments: McBurnie, Kieron Bowie and Robbie Ure all showed flashes of quality. Nevertheless, it is unlikely that all three will feature simultaneously in Scotland’s strongest XI moving forward. The most plausible configuration appears to be a partnership between McGinn – whose penalty against North Macedonia elevated him to joint‑fourth on Scotland’s all‑time scoring list alongside legend Lawrie Reilly – and the returning Scott McTominay, once the Napoli midfielder fully recovers from a minor heart procedure.
McGinn and McTominay have formed a potent double‑pivot for nearly a decade, and their chemistry will likely dictate whether the coach tailors his system to the players or reshapes the squad to fit a new tactical vision. **3.
The Evolving Role of Billy Gilmour** At the heart of Pocognoli’s press lies a re‑imagined Billy Gilmour, the 25‑year‑old Napoli midfielder who celebrated his 50th cap during the camp. Historically a deep‑lying playmaker, Gilmour was repositioned higher up the pitch to exploit his energy, pressing ability and technical finesse. In this more advanced role he is tasked with disrupting opposition build‑up and attempting to unlock compact defensive blocks rather than simply threading passes through. This strategic gamble carries risk.
By positioning Gilmour further forward, Scotland became vulnerable to swift counter‑attacks, a weakness exposed by the slower pace of the back three during transitional moments. Moreover, the expectation that Gilmour will serve as the primary conduit for the team’s buildup means he must cover extensive ground, expending energy both in attack and defence.
Despite these challenges, many Scottish fans still regard Gilmour as the standout performer of the camp. Whether he ultimately settles into a number‑6, number‑8 or even a number‑10 role, his importance to Pocognoli’s plans is undeniable and he is poised to become a cornerstone of the new regime. **Looking Ahead** The first four matches under Pocognoli have offered a mixed bag of lessons. The back three provides a solid foundation but requires natural wide players to unlock its full potential.
The attacking configurations are still being refined, with the McGinn‑McTominay partnership likely to remain central, while the forward line may need to be trimmed to a clear first‑choice striker. Finally, Billy Gilmour’s repositioning signals a shift toward a high‑pressing, technically driven style, albeit one that must be balanced against defensive stability. As Scotland prepares for the next round of Euro 2028 qualifiers, the decisions made in this early camp will shape the team’s identity for years to come. Fans can expect further tactical tweaks, player rotations and perhaps a few more surprises as Pocognoli continues to blend his continental experience with the unique demands of international Scottish football.