{"id":4721,"date":"2026-09-15T10:22:14","date_gmt":"2026-09-15T10:22:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=4721"},"modified":"2026-09-15T10:22:14","modified_gmt":"2026-09-15T10:22:14","slug":"scotland-sebastien-pocognoli-to-name-first-squad-as-head-coach-will-there-be-big-changes-for-the-nations-league-football-news-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=4721","title":{"rendered":"Scotland: Sebastien Pocognoli to name first squad as head coach – will there be big changes for the Nations League? | Football News"},"content":{"rendered":"


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A new head coach, a new era – but will there be a new-look squad?<\/p>\n

Sebastien Pocognoli will reveal all on Tuesday ahead of his first match as Scotland head coach in the Nations League later this month.<\/p>\n

Four games over two weeks await the nation and the 39-year-old – but how different will that group be from the 26 that previous boss Steve Clarke took to the USA for the World Cup?<\/p>\n

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Sebastien Pocognoli outlines his aims as Scotland’s new head coach and explains why he is the right choice to replace Steve Clarke<\/span>
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Sky Sports News<\/em> understands uncapped striker Robbie Ure will be among the players added to the squad<\/a>.<\/p>\n

However, with big decisions to be made across every area of the pitch and some big absentees due to injury, we take a look at some of the big dilemmas that face the Belgian…<\/p>\n

Who is the answer to Scotland’s goalkeeping issue?<\/h3>\n
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\n Craig Gordon (R) has now retired and Angus Gunn (L) is playing in MLS
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Finding a long-term answer to who is Scotland’s No 1 was a problem Clarke struggled with and one that Pocognoli inherits.<\/p>\n

After just 45 minutes of club action last season, Angus Gunn <\/strong>saw his contract at Nottingham Forest expire over the summer. Despite a lack of game time, he did start all three group games at the World Cup. The 30-year-old has since joined San Jose Earthquakes and is playing regularly in MLS, but has conceded 21 goals in 10 games.<\/p>\n

Craig <\/strong>Gordon <\/strong>and Liam Kelly<\/strong> were also in the USA, but the former has now retired and the latter is yet to feature for Rangers this season. There are decisions to be made.<\/p>\n

Falkirk’s Scott Bain<\/strong> missed out on a place in Clarke’s final squad despite playing more minutes than Gunn, Gordon and Kelly combined. He has played all five of the Bairns’ Premiership games this season and could return after earning his last Scotland cap back in March.<\/p>\n

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\n Could Scott Bain be recalled to the Scotland squad?
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Liam McFarlane <\/strong>went to America as the training goalkeeper and could be another option as back-up. On loan at Partick Thistle from Hearts, he has kept four clean sheets this season, where he has conceded just one goal in five Championship games.<\/p>\n

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\n Liam McFarlane is on loan at Partick Thistle
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While there are other names from previous squads, like Cieran Slicker <\/strong>and Ross Doohan<\/strong>, perhaps a name more likely to be in the mix could be Jon McCracken<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The Bradford ‘keeper is yet to be capped but after his move from Dundee to League One in England, he has kept six clean sheets in nine games.<\/p>\n

Defensive decisions<\/h3>\n

While many will keep their place, like captain Andy Robertson<\/strong>, for others it could be the end of the road.<\/p>\n

Grant Hanley<\/strong> has been a solid servant for Scotland but not all of his 70 caps have come without criticism.<\/p>\n

The 34-year-old missed Hibernian’s League Cup win at Ross County due to injury. Even if he is available for international duty, Pocognoli could look at other options as Scotland look to improve their ability to defend higher up the pitch.<\/p>\n

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\n Will Grant Hanley miss out on a place in the new Scotland manager’s first squad?
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John Souttar <\/strong>has been told his long-term future is away from Rangers and has not even made the bench this season. Could being an unused member of Clarke’s World Cup squad be his final involvement, for now at least?<\/p>\n

The versatility of his Ibrox team-mate Ross McCrorie <\/strong>could see him in the new manager’s thoughts, given he can play in defence or midfield.<\/p>\n

Anthony Ralston<\/strong> could be another to miss out. Called up as a back-up for Aaron Hickey<\/strong> at international level, Ralston has now fallen down the pecking order at Celtic, with teenager Colby Donovan<\/strong> being favoured this season.<\/p>\n

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\n Colby Donovan has featured in all eight of Celtic’s domestic games this season
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The current Scotland U21 right-back will make the first team at some point, even if he is kept out of this squad due to the likes of Hickey, Max Johnston<\/strong> and Nathan Patterson, <\/strong>who has moved to Torino.<\/p>\n

Left-back Josh Doig<\/strong> is another in Italy and could be set for a recall, having impressed for Serie A club Sassuolo.<\/p>\n

Elsewhere, James Penrice <\/strong>has impressed since moving to Rangers on loan, Luke Graham <\/strong>is continuing to go from strength to strength since joining Stoke from Dundee, and Swansea’s Stephen Welsh <\/strong>could be in the mix after his impressive loan spell at Motherwell from Celtic last season.<\/p>\n

Who could make it in midfield<\/h3>\n
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\n Billy Gilmour is set for a return after injury forced him out of Scotland’s World Cup squad
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Napoli’s Billy Gilmour<\/strong> should return to the Scotland squad after a knee injury forced him out of the World Cup squad.<\/p>\n

He has played 90 minutes back-to-back against Arsenal in the Champions League, and then in a 1-0 Serie A win against Bologna on Sunday.<\/p>\n

Tyler Fletcher<\/strong>, who has started this season in Manchester United’s academy squad, was his replacement for America, drafted in ahead of Lennon Miller<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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\n Tyler Fletcher was a late addition to Clarke’s World Cup squad
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Former Motherwell star Miller is yet to nail down a regular starting spot at Udinese but having started consecutive matches, could he step in for Scott McTominay, <\/strong>who will be missing after undergoing heart surgery?<\/p>\n

Hibernian’s Josh Mulligan<\/strong> has been involved in the national squad before but has yet to be capped. The 23-year-old impressed in the Edinburgh derby with Pocognoli in attendance.<\/p>\n

Ure in but could Hearts provide striker solutions?<\/h3>\n
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\n Robbie Ure joined Sevilla in the summer after impressing in Sweden
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Sky Sports News<\/em> understands Robbie Ure<\/strong> will be handed a first call-up.<\/p>\n

The 22-year-old impressed at Swedish side Sirius, scoring 20 goals in 20 games – landing him a mega move to LaLiga side Sevilla in the summer.<\/p>\n

Although he is yet to score in Spain, his attacking prowess cannot be disputed and that will land him a spot in Pocognoli’s squad.<\/p>\n

Scotland will be without Rangers striker Lawrence Shankland<\/strong> following surgery on a hamstring injury, but his former club could have some solutions.<\/p>\n

James Wilson<\/strong> has looked impressive since his return to Hearts after a loan spell at Spurs and scored their opener against Hibs at Easter Road in front of the national team boss.<\/p>\n

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\n James Wilson (L) has impressed since returning to Hearts
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Fellow Tynecastle summer signings Calvin Miller<\/strong> and Josh McPake<\/strong> have also made an impact. Both have featured at Scotland youth level, but could the Belgian be looking at them for his Nations League squad?<\/p>\n

Lyndon Dykes<\/strong> has scored three goals in six league games for Millwall this season, but just one in his last nine Scotland appearances raises questions about his future under Pocognoli.<\/p>\n

Could Oli McBurnie’s<\/strong> Scotland exile be at an end?<\/p>\n

The 30-year-old, who won his last of 17 caps in 2021, was not considered by Clarke for the World Cup despite his 18 Championship goals for Hull as they secured promotion.<\/p>\n

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Hull striker Oli McBurnie on his hopes of a return to the Scotland squad under new head coach Sebastien Pocognoli<\/span>
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He has also played almost every minute of their four Premier League games this season.<\/p>\n

And there is also Kieron Bowie,<\/strong> after his strong start to the season in Italy, scoring in Sassuolo’s win against Juventus on Sunday.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n


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