Scotland Squad Revamp: New Faces Under Pocognoli

Sebastien Pocognoli has wasted no time shaking up Scotland.

In his first squad since taking the job, the Belgian has called up five uncapped players, recalled several familiar faces and left out a dozen World Cup names. The message is clear: reputations no longer pick the team.

New faces, new edge

Sevilla striker Robbie Ure headlines the fresh arrivals. The former Rangers academy forward forced his way into the conversation with a blistering spell at Swedish side Sirius, hitting 20 goals in 20 matches and earning a move to LaLiga. Now 22, and also eligible for Ukraine through his grandparents, he finally gets his shot in dark blue.

Alongside him comes Brondby captain Luis Binks. The 25-year-old defender once wore Scotland colours at U18 level before switching into the England youth system. Now the Danish SuperLiga centre-back is back in the fold, this time at senior level, with Pocognoli clearly attracted by his leadership and game-time at club level.

Celtic right-back Colby Donovan also steps up. He has featured in every game for the champions this season and takes the spot of team-mate Anthony Ralston, who drops out. Hearts winger Josh McPake is rewarded after an eye-catching start to life in Gorgie following his summer move from St Johnstone, while Stephen Welsh earns recognition for his progress at Swansea City after a strong loan spell at Motherwell last term.

Five new names. Five players in form. And a very different feel to this Scotland squad.

McBurnie returns, big names miss out

The headline recall belongs to Hull City striker Oli McBurnie. The forward last played for Scotland in 2021 and has often found himself at the centre of debate among supporters. Now he is back.

Former Scotland striker James McFadden believes the 28-year-old has earned it.

“Oli deserves his opportunity and there's been a bit of a backlash towards Oli over the last few years,” McFadden told Sky Sports News. “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.”

McBurnie’s return comes as Pocognoli deals with a raft of absences. Napoli midfielder Scott McTominay is missing as he recovers from minor heart surgery. Rangers striker Lawrence Shankland is out with a hamstring problem, while Torino forward Che Adams is also injured.

They are not alone. A total of 12 players from the World Cup squad are absent from Pocognoli’s first selection. John Souttar, Anthony Ralston, Grant Hanley, Dominic Hyam, Tyler Fletcher, Lyndon Dykes, George Hirst and Ross Stewart all miss out, stripping away much of the old spine and opening the door to a new generation.

Gilmour back, Gordon’s gloves passed on

There is good news in midfield. Billy Gilmour returns after a knee injury forced him to withdraw from Steve Clarke’s final squad before the World Cup. Now fit and playing for Napoli, the 23-year-old slides straight back into a central unit that will lean heavily on his control and passing.

In goal, the changing of the guard is now official. With Craig Gordon retiring from international duty after the World Cup, Scott Bain and Jon McCracken come back into the frame. They join Angus Gunn and Liam Kelly in a four-strong goalkeeping group that underlines just how much experience has walked out the door with Gordon.

Graham steps up, Serie A contingent grows

One of the more intriguing inclusions is Luke Graham. The Stoke City defender was part of Scotland’s pre-World Cup training camp in May and has since put together a breakout season in the Championship. He has played every minute of Stoke’s last four league games, a run that has brought three wins and a draw for The Potters. Now he moves from the periphery to the heart of the national conversation.

Josh Doig and Kieron Bowie, both at Sassuolo, also return to the squad, bolstering a growing Serie A contingent that already includes Bologna’s Lewis Ferguson and Udinese’s Lennon Miller. Hearts forward James Wilson is back as well after forcing his way into the picture in the Premiership.

This is not a token refresh. It is a structural one.

Ure’s “unconventional route” pays off

McFadden has been tracking Robbie Ure for some time and sees this as a landmark moment.

“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,” he said. “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.”

For a nation that has long searched for reliable goals at the top level, Ure’s emergence, combined with McBurnie’s recall, feels significant. Pocognoli wants options, and suddenly he has them.

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), 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

All of this change comes with real stakes attached. There is no gentle bedding-in period. Scotland open their Nations League campaign away to Slovenia on 26 September, before hosting Switzerland three days later. A trip to North Macedonia on 3 October follows, with home games against Slovenia and North Macedonia in November, and a daunting visit to Switzerland to close the group on 16 November.

New coach. New names. Old expectations.

Pocognoli has promised to make Scotland fans smile. The squad he has picked is bold enough to do it. Now the question is simple: can this reshaped side turn promise into points when the Nations League kicks off?