Pocognoli's First Scotland Squad: New Faces and Big Changes

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

Five uncapped players – including Sevilla striker Robbie Ure and Brondby captain Luis Binks – headline the Belgian’s first squad for the upcoming Nations League campaign, as a dozen World Cup names drop out and a new era takes shape.

New faces, new tone

The call-up for Ure feels symbolic. Once a Rangers academy prospect, he left Scotland to rebuild his career in Sweden with Sirius, where he blasted 20 goals in 20 games and earned a move to LaLiga with Sevilla. Now 22 and also eligible for Ukraine through his grandparents, he finally gets his shot in dark blue.

Binks, 25, arrives with a different kind of pedigree. The defender leads Danish SuperLiga side Brondby as captain, having previously represented Scotland at U18 level before switching into the England youth system. Pocognoli has brought him back into the fold at a time when defensive options are being reshuffled.

Celtic right-back Colby Donovan, Hearts winger Josh McPake and Swansea City defender Stephen Welsh complete the list of first-time call-ups. Donovan has featured in every Celtic game this season and steps in for club team-mate Anthony Ralston. McPake’s summer move to Hearts from St Johnstone has sparked his form, while Welsh is rewarded after a strong loan spell at Motherwell last term before establishing himself at Swansea.

This is not a gentle tweak. It is a reset.

McBurnie returns, big names sit out

Alongside the new blood comes a recall that has been a long time coming. Hull City striker Oli McBurnie is back in the squad for the first time since 2021, returning to the international scene after injuries and scrutiny over his Scotland future.

James McFadden, speaking on Sky Sports News, believes McBurnie has earned it.

“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. He's had to be patient but again another one that's gone away and worked on himself and focused on himself. 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.”

McBurnie’s recall comes as several established names drop out. Napoli midfielder Scott McTominay is sidelined as he recovers from minor heart surgery. Rangers striker Lawrence Shankland misses out with a hamstring issue, while Torino forward Che Adams is also injured.

In total, 12 players from the World Cup squad are absent from Pocognoli’s first selection. John Souttar, Anthony Ralston, Grant Hanley, Dominic Hyam, Tyler Fletcher, Lyndon Dykes, George Hirst and Ross Stewart are all missing as the new head coach reshapes his options.

Gilmour back, Gordon’s era ends

There is better news in midfield. Billy Gilmour returns after a knee injury forced the Napoli playmaker to withdraw from Steve Clarke’s final squad before the World Cup. His comeback adds much-needed craft and control to the centre of the pitch.

At the other end of the age spectrum, Scotland move into life after Craig Gordon. The veteran goalkeeper has retired from international duty following the World Cup, opening the door for Scott Bain and Jon McCracken to rejoin the group. They line up alongside Angus Gunn and Liam Kelly in a refreshed goalkeeping department.

Graham steps up, Serie A influence grows

Luke Graham’s rise continues. The Stoke City defender, capped three times at under-21 level, is included after being part of Scotland’s pre-World Cup training camp in May. He has played every minute of Stoke’s last four Championship games, a run that has yielded three wins and a draw, and now steps into the senior picture.

Josh Doig and Kieron Bowie, both at Sassuolo, are recalled as Scotland’s Serie A contingent grows. Lennon Miller of Udinese returns in midfield, while Hearts forward James Wilson is also back in the attacking mix.

They join a core that still includes Andy Robertson, Kieran Tierney, John McGinn, Lewis Ferguson and Kenny McLean, giving Pocognoli a blend of proven leaders and ambitious newcomers.

McFadden hails Ure’s “brave” path

For McFadden, Ure’s story underlines the changing face of the squad.

“Robbie Ure is one that has been on the radar for his form in Sweden in particular, towards the run-up to the World Cup, but missed out on the squad,” he said. “Getting that move to Sevilla shows that he has the capabilities to go and play at the highest level.

“It's an area that we've struggled with for a number of years and for Scotland to bring competition.

“Robbie Ure's taken an unconventional route. He definitely deserves a respect because he's been brave to move away and forge a career elsewhere and probably be allowed to develop and focus on himself to get to this point.”

The message is clear: if you leave, improve, and prove yourself abroad, the door is open.

Scotland squad in full

• 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 this revamped squad. Scotland open their Nations League campaign away to Slovenia on 26 September, before hosting Switzerland three days later. A trip to North Macedonia on 3 October follows, with the return fixtures against Slovenia and North Macedonia in November, and a final away test in Switzerland on 16 November.

New head coach. New faces. Big reputations missing.

By the end of this Nations League run, we will know if Pocognoli’s gamble on freshness has given Scotland a new edge – or simply torn up a successful script too soon.