Sebastien Pocognoli's Bold Changes for Scotland's Nations League Campaign

Sebastien Pocognoli has wasted no time putting his stamp on Scotland.

In his first squad since taking over as head coach, the Belgian has called up five uncapped players, recalled a long-absent centre-forward and left out a dozen World Cup faces. This is not a gentle evolution. It is a reset.

New faces, new intent

Sevilla striker Robbie Ure headlines the group of debutants, joined by Brondby captain Luis Binks, Celtic right-back Colby Donovan, Hearts winger Josh McPake and Swansea City defender Stephen Welsh.

All five are in for the upcoming Nations League campaign, a block of fixtures that will double as Pocognoli’s first real examination and, for several players, the start of a new international life.

Ure’s inclusion feels symbolic. Once of the Rangers academy, he exploded in Sweden with Sirius, scoring 20 goals in 20 games and earning a move to LaLiga with Sevilla. At 22, and also eligible for Ukraine through the grandparent rule, he is exactly the kind of forward Scotland have struggled to produce and keep.

James McFadden, speaking on Sky Sports News, believes the striker has already shown the mentality to match the talent.

“Getting that move to Sevilla shows that he has the capabilities to go and play at the highest level,” McFadden said, praising Ure’s decision to leave Scotland early and carve out his own path abroad. “He definitely deserves a respect because he's been brave to move away and forge a career elsewhere.”

Binks, meanwhile, arrives with leadership credentials. The 25-year-old defender captains Danish SuperLiga side Brondby and has previously worn Scotland colours at U18 level before switching to England’s youth setup. Pocognoli has brought him back into the fold at a time when the back line is being reshaped.

Donovan steps in at right-back having featured in every Celtic game so far this season, effectively taking the spot of his club team-mate Anthony Ralston. McPake’s summer move to Hearts from St Johnstone has sparked his career, his form on the wing rewarded with a first senior call. Welsh, now at Swansea after a successful loan at Motherwell from Celtic last season, gets his own long-awaited breakthrough.

Big recalls and big absences

The headline return belongs to Oli McBurnie. The Hull City striker has not played for Scotland since 2021, his international career stalled by injuries, form and a sometimes hostile public perception.

McFadden is adamant the 28-year-old has earned another shot.

“Oli deserves his opportunity and there's been a bit of a backlash towards Oli over the last few years,” he said. “I know how passionate he is about playing for Scotland… got back to the Premier League and Oli is definitely worth coming in and having a look at to see if he can go and make that number nine spot his own.”

In goal, Scott Bain and Jon McCracken return to the group after Craig Gordon’s retirement from international football following the World Cup. They join Angus Gunn and Liam Kelly in a refreshed goalkeeping department.

Further forward, Billy Gilmour is back. The Napoli midfielder missed Steve Clarke’s final squad through a knee injury but now returns as one of Pocognoli’s key technical options in the middle of the park.

Luke Graham’s inclusion underlines the new manager’s eye for momentum. The Stoke City defender, capped three times at under-21 level, was part of Scotland’s pre-World Cup training camp in May and has since played every minute of Stoke’s last four Championship matches, a run that has yielded three wins and a draw.

There are recalls too for Josh Doig and Kieron Bowie of Sassuolo, Lennon Miller of Udinese and Hearts forward James Wilson, all rewarded after strong spells with their clubs.

The list of absentees is just as telling. Napoli midfielder Scott McTominay misses out as he recovers from minor heart surgery. Rangers striker Lawrence Shankland is sidelined with a hamstring problem, while Torino’s Che Adams is also injured.

In total, 12 players from the World Cup squad are not involved in Pocognoli’s first selection. John Souttar, Anthony Ralston, Grant Hanley, Dominic Hyam, Tyler Fletcher, Lyndon Dykes, George Hirst and Ross Stewart are all left out, as the new coach leans into freshness and form.

The full squad

Goalkeepers:
Scott Bain (Falkirk), Angus Gunn (San Jose Earthquakes), Liam Kelly (Rangers), Jon McCracken (Bradford City)

Defenders:
Luis Binks (Brondby), 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), Kieran Tierney (Celtic), Stephen Welsh (Swansea City)

Midfielders:
Ryan Christie (Bournemouth), Lewis Ferguson (Bologna), Billy Gilmour (Napoli), John McGinn (Aston Villa), Kenny McLean (Norwich City), Josh McPake (Hearts), Lennon Miller (Udinese)

Forwards:
Kieron Bowie (Sassuolo), Findlay Curtis (Rangers), Ben Gannon-Doak (Bournemouth), Oli McBurnie (Hull City), Robbie Ure (Sevilla), James Wilson (Hearts)

Nations League on the horizon

There is no soft launch for Pocognoli. Scotland open their Nations League campaign away to Slovenia on 26 September, before hosting Switzerland three days later. Trips to North Macedonia and a return fixture against Slovenia follow in October, with the final double-header against North Macedonia and Switzerland in November.

Scotland’s Nations League fixtures
Slovenia vs Scotland – September 26, 2pm
Scotland vs Switzerland – September 29, 7.45pm
N. Macedonia vs Scotland – October 3, 7.45pm
Scotland vs Slovenia – October 6, 7.45pm
Scotland vs N. Macedonia – November 13, 7.45pm
Switzerland vs Scotland – November 16, 7.45pm

New manager. New forwards. New captain at the back. A dozen World Cup names missing.

Pocognoli has shown his hand early. The question now is whether this bold first cut can turn promise and potential into a Scotland side that makes its supporters smile again when the real games start.