Pocognoli's New Era: Scotland's Revamped Squad for Nations League

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

In his first squad since taking over from Steve Clarke, the Belgian has called up five uncapped players, recalled a long-absent centre-forward and moved on from a dozen World Cup names. This is not a gentle tweak. It’s a reset.

New era, new faces

Sevilla striker Robbie Ure headlines the fresh arrivals. Brondby captain Luis Binks joins him, along with Celtic right-back Colby Donovan, Hearts winger Josh McPake and Swansea City defender Stephen Welsh – all handed their first senior call-ups for the upcoming Nations League campaign.

Oli McBurnie is back too. The Hull City forward, whose last cap came in 2021, finally returns to the international fold after years on the outside looking in.

Behind them, the goalkeeping department has shifted. Scott Bain and Jon McCracken are recalled after Craig Gordon’s retirement from international duty following the World Cup. The veteran’s exit leaves a sizeable hole, but also a clear pathway for a new hierarchy.

In midfield, Napoli’s Billy Gilmour returns after a knee injury forced him out of Clarke’s final squad. Stoke City defender Luke Graham also steps up, rewarded for a breakthrough season at Dundee and an ever-present start to the Championship campaign, where he has played every minute of Stoke’s recent run of three wins and a draw.

Josh Doig and Kieron Bowie of Sassuolo, Udinese midfielder Lennon Miller and Hearts forward James Wilson are all recalled as Pocognoli reshapes the edges of his group.

The absences are just as striking. Napoli midfielder Scott McTominay is out as he recovers from minor heart surgery. Rangers striker Lawrence Shankland misses out with a hamstring injury, while Torino forward Che Adams is also sidelined.

In total, 12 players from Scotland’s World Cup squad do not make Pocognoli’s first list. John Souttar, Anthony Ralston, Grant Hanley, Dominic Hyam, Tyler Fletcher, Lyndon Dykes, George Hirst and Ross Stewart are among those omitted as the new head coach redraws the map.

Ure’s rise and Binks’ leadership

So who are the new men trusted to carry Scotland into this next phase?

Luis Binks arrives as captain of Danish SuperLiga side Brondby. The 25-year-old has already worn Scotland colours at under-18 level before switching into the England youth system. Now he returns to the Scottish pathway as a senior international, bringing leadership from a high-pressure role in Denmark.

Robbie Ure’s story has a different edge. Once a Rangers academy prospect, he left Scotland to rebuild his career. A prolific spell at Swedish side Sirius – 20 goals in 20 games – earned him a “mega-move” to LaLiga club Sevilla. At 22, he is also eligible for Ukraine through the grandparent rule, but Pocognoli has moved quickly to bring him into the Scotland fold.

Former Scotland striker James McFadden believes that choice has already paid off.

“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,” McFadden told Sky Sports News. “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.”

McPake’s inclusion reflects his sharp start since moving from St Johnstone to Hearts in the summer. Welsh, now at Swansea City, is rewarded after a strong loan spell at Motherwell from Celtic last season. Donovan, meanwhile, has featured in every Celtic game so far this season and steps in for his club team-mate Ralston at right-back.

McBurnie’s second chance

The most emotionally charged recall belongs to McBurnie.

On him, McFadden did not hold back: “Oli deserves his opportunity and there’s been a bit of a backlash towards Oli over the last few years.

“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.”

For a nation that has long searched for a reliable focal point up front, the battle between McBurnie, Ure and the returning forwards could define Pocognoli’s early tenure.

The 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 landing for this revamped Scotland. The Nations League schedule is relentless:

• Slovenia vs Scotland – September 26, 2pm
• Scotland vs Switzerland – September 29, 7.45pm
• N. Macedonia vs Scotland – October 3, 7.45pm
• Scotland vs Slovenia – October 6, 7.45pm
• Scotland vs N. Macedonia – November 13, 7.45pm
• Switzerland vs Scotland – November 16, 7.45pm

By the time that final whistle blows in Switzerland in mid-November, we will know far more about Pocognoli’s Scotland – and whether this bold first squad is the start of something that really can make the fans smile again.