Scotland: Sebastian Pocognoli has 'good mix' as new head coach targets winning start in Nations League

The new head coach takes charge for the first time against Slovenia in the Nations League on Saturday; Scotland are also away to N. Macedonia with games against Switzerland and Slovenia at Hampden during this international break; six newcomers are included in the Belgian's first squad

By Luke Shanley and Alison Conroy

Tuesday 22 September 2026 15:42, UK

New Scotland head Sebastien Pocognoli has told Sky Sports it was time for change, believing he has a "good mix" in his first squad.

The Belgian is meeting his players for the first time this week as they train in the La Manga sunshine ahead of their Nations League opener against Slovenia.

Five players were handed their maiden full Scotland call-ups in his initial squad, with Blackburn Rovers midfielder Kristi Montgomery drafted in following the withdrawals of Kieran Tierney and Kenny McLean.

The longer international break - with four Nations League matches - gives the new boss more time with his squad as he looks to make an impact as Steve Clarke's successor.

"We have plenty of experience in the team, there are some new faces and young lads, and I think we have a good mix," Pocognoli told Sky Sports News.

"We need to make sure that the balance stays right, and to keep what makes the Scotland team really strong, it was the cohesion and really proper DNA in the team, and this needs to stay.

"The needed change was at this moment, because we follow the timelines, and the change is just about the things that we want to create on the pitch.

"It's also performance in your club, injury, and at the same time you need to make the change.

"What was provided in the past is massive to use for the future.

"It's to find the right balance, so the experienced players will be important to continue to take care of this, and from the coaching staff point of view, we need to be aligned about what we want to achieve together.

"I want to see a team who are just really together; it's quite basic: attack together, defend together, but that's part of the Scotland mentality."

The Pocognoli era officially gets underway in Ljubljana on Saturday, with a game against Switzerland at Hampden Park three days later.

The squad then fly to North Macedonia on October 3 before returning to Glasgow to face Slovenia again on October 6.

Scotland were demoted from Nations League A after a play-off defeat by Greece last year and return to the second tier for this year's competition.

"There are many ways to be successful," the 39-year-old added.

"For me, in the Nations League, it's to stay competitive and try to be as much as possible higher in the ranking to go to League A.

"But just to recognise some principles on the pitch, recognise who the leaders are on the pitch, see some young lads playing, see team cohesion on the pitch.

"Also, to get the supporters excited. If we can combine with the result, and that's why we do this job, I would be really happy."

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), Stephen Welsh (Swansea City)

Midfielders: Ryan Christie (Bournemouth), Lewis Ferguson (Bologna), Billy Gilmour (Napoli), John McGinn (Aston Villa), Josh McPake (Hearts), Lennon Miller (Udinese), Kristie Montgomery (Blackburn Rovers)

Forwards: Kieron Bowie (Sassuolo), Findlay Curtis (Rangers), Ben Gannon-Doak (Bournemouth), Oli McBurnie (Hull City), Robbie Ure (Sevilla), James Wilson (Hearts)