Scotland's New Era Under Sebastien Pocognoli: Five Debutants and Bold Changes

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

In his first squad since taking over as head coach, the Belgian has ripped up the old script, ushering in five debutants, recalling a long-absent centre-forward and leaving a dozen World Cup players on the outside looking in.

This is not a gentle evolution. It’s a reset.

New faces, new direction

The headline arrivals are Sevilla striker Robbie Ure and Brondby captain Luis Binks, both handed their first full Scotland call-ups.

They are joined by Celtic right-back Colby Donovan, Hearts winger Josh McPake and Swansea City defender Stephen Welsh, as Pocognoli turns to a younger, braver core for the upcoming Nations League campaign.

Up front, there is a long-awaited return for Hull City’s Oli McBurnie, who last pulled on a Scotland shirt in 2021. His recall lands at a time when the forward line is being reshaped, with several established names missing through injury.

Behind them, the goalkeeping department also shifts. Scott Bain and Jon McCracken come back into the fold after Craig Gordon’s retirement from international duty following the World Cup. A significant era ends; another begins.

Big absences and a bold cut

The changes are not just about who comes in, but who drops out.

Napoli midfielder Scott McTominay is sidelined as he recovers from minor heart surgery, a major figure missing from the spine of the team. Rangers striker Lawrence Shankland is out with a hamstring problem, while Torino forward Che Adams is also injured.

In total, 12 players who went to the World Cup do not feature in Pocognoli’s first squad.

• Rangers defender John Souttar
• Celtic’s Anthony Ralston
• Hibernian centre-back Grant Hanley
• Wrexham’s Dominic Hyam
• Manchester United youngster Tyler Fletcher
• Millwall forward Lyndon Dykes
• Stoke’s George Hirst
• Swansea striker Ross Stewart

The message is clear: reputation alone will not carry anyone into this new cycle.

Ure’s rise and Binks’ leadership

So who are the new pillars of Pocognoli’s project?

Luis Binks arrives with pedigree and responsibility. The 25-year-old is captain of Danish SuperLiga side Brondby, a left-sided defender comfortable in possession and already used to leading a back line. He previously represented Scotland at U18 level before switching into the England youth set-up. Now, he’s back in dark blue.

Robbie Ure’s story is more unconventional. A former Rangers academy prospect, he left Scotland to rebuild his career, exploding into form at Swedish side Sirius with 20 goals in 20 matches. That ruthless run earned him a high-profile move to LaLiga and Sevilla.

The 22-year-old, also eligible for Ukraine through the grandparent rule, has forced his way into the conversation the hard way – by leaving home, taking risks and delivering numbers that can’t be ignored.

On Sky Sports News, former Scotland striker James McFadden praised Ure’s courage and ambition, highlighting his decision to move abroad and develop away from the glare. Ure, McFadden argued, has shown he can operate at the highest level and bring much-needed competition to a position Scotland have struggled with for years.

Domestic form rewarded

Josh McPake’s call-up is a nod to form. The winger has hit the ground running since his summer move to Hearts from St Johnstone, and his sharp start in Gorgie has been recognised.

Stephen Welsh, now at Swansea City after a successful loan spell at Motherwell from Celtic last season, also gets his chance to step up. He arrives as part of a defensive group that has been subtly but significantly reshaped.

Colby Donovan, meanwhile, has quietly become a fixture at Celtic. The right-back has featured in every game for the champions so far this season and comes in to replace club team-mate Anthony Ralston. In Pocognoli’s first squad, consistency at club level has clearly carried weight.

Luke Graham, the Stoke City defender who was part of Scotland’s pre-World Cup training camp in May, is included after a breakthrough season. He has played every minute of Stoke’s last four Championship matches, a run that has brought three wins and a draw. He now steps from promising prospect into full international territory.

Josh Doig and Kieron Bowie, both at Sassuolo in Serie A, are recalled, as is Udinese midfielder Lennon Miller and Hearts forward James Wilson, underlining a growing Italian influence in the squad.

Billy Gilmour’s return from a knee injury is another key note. The Napoli midfielder was forced to withdraw from Steve Clarke’s final squad before the World Cup, but is back to anchor the midfield in this new era.

McBurnie’s second chance

Oli McBurnie’s recall feels like a storyline in itself.

The Hull City striker has not played for Scotland since 2021 and has often been at the centre of debate and frustration among supporters. McFadden acknowledged the backlash McBurnie has faced in recent years, but stressed his passion for playing for Scotland and the work he has done to rebuild his career.

Back in the Premier League before his move to Hull, McBurnie has fought his way into form and fitness. Now, Pocognoli wants to see if he can finally nail down that number nine role that has remained stubbornly unresolved for so long.

With Ure arriving from Sevilla and McBurnie returning to the fold, the competition at centre-forward looks very different – and far more intriguing.

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

There is no soft launch for this new-look Scotland.

Pocognoli’s side open their Nations League campaign away to Slovenia on 26 September, before hosting Switzerland three days later. Trips to North Macedonia and a home rematch with Slovenia follow in October, with the group closing in November against North Macedonia at Hampden and Switzerland away.

By then, everyone will know if this bold first squad was the start of a genuine step forward, or the beginning of an even more ruthless shake-up.