Oli McBurnie Returns to Scotland Squad Under New Coach

Oli McBurnie has been handed a shock return to the Scotland squad, five years after his last call-up, as new head coach Sebastien Pocognoli rips up the old script with a bold first selection.

The 30-year-old Hull City striker, capped 16 times but still searching for his first Scotland goal, has not featured for his country since 2021. His most memorable contribution remains the nerveless penalty he buried in the shootout that took Scotland to the delayed Euro 2020 finals. Now he is back in from the cold.

Pocognoli’s maiden squad is anything but conservative. Uncapped quintet Luis Binks, Colby Donovan, Jon McCracken, Josh McPake and Stephen Welsh all get the nod, underlining a clear intent to refresh the group.

As widely anticipated, Stoke City defender Luke Graham and Sevilla forward Robbie Ure receive their first senior call-ups after eye-catching club form.

There is a strong element of recall too. Goalkeeper Scott Bain, forward Kieron Bowie, left-back Josh Doig, midfielder Lennon Miller and attacker James Wilson all return to the fold. Che Adams, though, is absent, with reports in Italy indicating the Torino striker is injured. The inclusion of Bowie, McBurnie, Ure and Wilson points to a rebuilt attacking unit.

Binks, 25, currently at Brondby, has represented both England and Scotland at youth level. Donovan, just 20, has surged into contention after impressing for Celtic, stepping in for injured Canada right-back Alistair Johnston and holding his place. Like McBurnie, he has already worn the dark blue at under-19 and under-21 level.

Graham’s rise has been steady and relentless. He forced his way into the Scotland picture with a breakout season at Dundee, where he swept the players’ player and young player of the year awards. He then joined the national team’s pre-World Cup training camp in May and sat on the bench for the send-off win over Curacao, Steve Clarke’s final game in charge at Hampden Park.

Now 22, Graham has kicked on again at Stoke City. An ever-present in a side unbeaten in their last four Championship matches, he has turned club momentum into international recognition.

Between the posts, Bain returns with four caps to his name, joined by Bradford City goalkeeper Jon McCracken, who has previously been called up under Clarke but remains uncapped. Pocognoli has clearly opted for continuity in the goalkeeping pool, while still leaving room for competition.

Heart of Midlothian head coach Wouter Vrancken had hinted he expected strong representation from Tynecastle, and he has been proved right. Winger Josh McPake is rewarded for a sharp start to the season, while his attacking team-mate James Wilson, already capped twice, is back in the squad. There is disappointment for Hearts winger Calvin Miller, who misses out this time.

At the back, Celtic’s Stephen Welsh stands on the brink of a first cap. In front of him, Sassuolo forward Bowie and left-back Doig are both included, with Udinese midfielder Lennon Miller also making the cut as part of a younger core being pushed into the spotlight.

Perhaps the most intriguing name is Robbie Ure. The former Rangers academy striker lit up Sweden with Sirius, scoring 20 goals and adding three assists in 20 matches to drive them to the top of the table. That form earned him a £5.5m move to Sevilla in the summer.

He has yet to score in La Liga, but his ceiling is obvious. With Ure also eligible for Ukraine, Pocognoli appears determined to move quickly and secure his international future.

A returning target man, a clutch of uncapped hopefuls, and a head coach unafraid to shuffle the established order: Scotland’s new era under Pocognoli starts with a squad list that leaves no doubt. The message is blunt – reputations no longer pick themselves.