Sebastien Pocognoli's first Scotland squad and the players we reckon might make it
Head coach has plenty of options as he weighs up old versus new
When Sebastien Pocognoli names his maiden Scotland squad on Tuesday morning, there are expected to be a few new faces from the group that took the country to the World Cup during the summer.
The departure of Steve Clarke, after seven successful years at the helm, brings a fresh perspective on how the national team should look and play in the build-up to Euro 2028, which is being held on British shores.
Pocognoli, a 39-year-old Belgian coach, has spent the past month casting his eye on players across Scotland, England, Europe and beyond ahead of four Nations League B fixtures against Slovenia twice, Switzerland and North Macedonia.
Pocognoli has not spoken since his official unveiling last month, so clues on what direction he will go with his squad are scant. However, he is expected to include some uncapped younger players - and will have his hand forced by injuries to more senior players.
Defender Grant Hanley is struggling with a hip knock, talismanic midfielder Scott McTominay had a minor heart procedure last week and striker Lawrence Shankland went under the knife to fix a torn hamstring. The latter two will definitely not make the squad, opening up opportunities for others.
Pocognoli can name up to a 26-man squad for the Nations League games, with a training camp in La Manga training taking place before heading to Ljubljana for Scotland’s opening game against Slovenia on Saturday, September 26.
The goalkeepers
In terms of goalkeepers, it is expected that three will be selected. Angus Gunn was Scotland’s No 1 at the World Cup and has since moved to the MLS, where he is playing regularly for San Jose Earthquakes and was named their man of the match in Sunday’s 1-0 win over Houston Dynamo. He is a shoo-in for the starting XI, never mind the squad.
Who acts as back-up is a harder question. Scott Bain is the only senior Scottish goalkeeper playing regularly in the top flight, but Falkirk’s poor start to the season and a poor individual error recently at Celtic Park could count against him. Rangers’ No 2 goalie Liam Kelly hasn’t played all season, although he is a popular and established member of the squad.
With Craig Gordon having finally retired, options are thin. Former Dundee goalkeeper Jon McCracken is now first-choice at Bradford, while 21-year-old Liam McFarlane - a training keeper for Scotland at the World Cup - is on loan at Partick Thistle from Hearts and is seen as a future internationalist.
The defenders
Captain Andy Robertson is starting every week for Tottenham Hotspur and will be there. Kieran Tierney was involved for Celtic against Rangers and they are two capable left-backs, although with Tierney’s injury record and four matches in quick succession, another left-sided defender would not go amiss. Sassuolo’s Josh Doig has started the season well in Serie A and merits inclusion.
On the other flank, Aaron Hickey is fit and starting for Brentford, while Nathan Patterson moved to Torino to kick-start his club career. It would be a surprise if they both weren’t involved. Colby Donovan, who has forced his way ahead of Anthony Ralston at Celtic, may also earn a call-up if Pocognoli wants three right wing-backs.
At centre-half, Hanley’s fitness and John Souttar’s lack of game-time at Rangers make it hard to argue for their inclusion. Dinamo Zagreb’s Scott McKenna and Jack Hendry of Al-Ettifaq look like two certainties for the squad, but there are opportunities behind them.
In the English Championship, uncapped duo Stephen Welsh and Luke Graham are playing well for Swansea and Stoke respectively, while Brondby’s Luis Binks - who qualifies for England and Scotland - could be a wildcard pick. Hearts centre-half Stuart Findlay could be on the radar too.
The midfielders
McTominay’s heart surgery opens up a vacancy in what is the most competitive sector of the squad. It is anticipated that John McGinn, Ryan Christie, Lewis Ferguson and Billy Gilmour will be selected, while Kenny McLean still features regularly for Norwich City.
After being snubbed by Clarke for the World Cup, Lennon Miller will hope for a fresh start under Pocognoli, and it will be interesting to see if Tyler Fletcher - a wildcard selection for the tournament - maintains his place in the squad.
Other midfielders who could press for inclusion are Andy Irving and Josh Mulligan, while there has been a recent clamour for Hayden Hackney, the Everton midfielder who represented both Scotland and England at youth level.
The wide players
Scotland used McGinn and Christie in wide attacking areas under Clarke and it will be interesting to see what Pocognoli does in this department.
Ben Gannon-Doak remains Scotland’s first-choice winger and he has played for Bournemouth this season. Findlay Curtis, who accompanied him to the World Cup, is back in the first-team picture at Rangers.
Hearts pair Josh McPake and Calvin Miller have been excellent for the Jambos this season and are viable options if Pocognoli wants to add more wide players to his squad. Oli Burke, who is at Union Berlin, won’t be available due to an Achilles issue.
The strikers
Possibly the area of most intrigue. Some want to see a changing of the guard. Lyndon Dykes, a loyal servant under Clarke, could see his position under threat - although the 30-year-old has scored three goals in his past three games for Millwall.
Ross Stewart isn’t playing at Swansea, while George Hirst came off the bench for Stoke at the weekend. Che Adams has scored twice for Torino this season, so should stay in the picture. As mentioned, Shankland is injured.
A slew of young strikers are knocking at the door: Kieron Bowie of Sassuolo, who netted against Juventus on Sunday, Hearts’ James Wilson, Middlesbrough’s Tommy Conway and uncapped Sevilla hitman Robbie Ure. The latter is widely expected to be selected.
There is also the case of Hull City’s Oli McBurnie, who became persona non grata under Clarke. He has started every match for the unbeaten Tigers in the English Premier League this term. On that form, he is hard to ignore.
Our predicted Scotland squad
Goalkeepers (3): Angus Gunn, Liam Kelly, Liam McFarlane.
Defenders (9): Aaron Hickey, Nathan Patterson, Jack Hendry, Scott McKenna, Stephen Welsh, Luke Graham, Josh Doig, Kieran Tierney, Andy Robertson.
Midfielders (9): Billy Gilmour, Lewis Ferguson, John McGinn, Ryan Christie, Kenny McLean, Lennon Miller, Ben Gannon-Doak, Findlay Curtis, Josh McPake.
Forwards (5): Che Adams, Lyndon Dykes, Kieron Bowie, Robbie Ure, Oli McBurnie.
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