Scotland 'good choice' verdict as former rival lifts lid on Sebastien Pocognoli ahead of Hibs clash

Gent boss Rik De Mil says he’s watched Pocognoli develop and mature as a coach. And he’s certain that the 39-year-old is ready for the jump to international football.

Pocognoli only has two previous managerial jobs on his CV, achieving surprise title success at Union Saint-Gilloise before a short-lived stint with Monaco.

But De Mil, whose Gent side host Hibs in the Conference League play-off first leg on Thursday, says he’s seen signs of the younger man’s development during a short time.

“I think he's also a young coach, so he's also developing his style, of course, because in Union it was his first real head coaching role,” he declared.

“Union has a typical style and that is with five in the back and trying to be dominant, but at the same time, they could also drop really low, keeping the zero and then with some good counter-attacks, they win two or three zero.

“But he developed that team also in being a dominant team, playing higher on the pitch. So you saw this development with him.

“Also and I think he learned new things also in Monaco. So as a young coach, you need to do different things to get that experience

“I think he's in the level now also to take this challenge in Scotland with the experience he has. So I think it's going to be okay.”

Offering some insight into what Scotland players should expect from Steve Clark’s successor, De Mill said: “He’s somebody that in his communication is really direct. He's close to his players also.

“And he has his really typical style of playing. But it's especially in his communication, what I heard about him, in terms of how he works with his group, how the players like him in his communication and being honest, being direct.

“So I think you made a good choice. I think when you take a Belgian guy, it's always a good choice!”