Sebastien Pocognoli names first Scotland squad as new head coach

Innes Taylor, Scottish Correspondent

Sebastien Pocognoli has named his first Scotland squad since being appointed as the national team’s head coach for the upcoming Nations League fixtures. The squad announcement has been highly anticipated since the Belgian replaced long-standing manager Steve Clarke, with fans desperate for a new freshness in the National Team.

Their calls have seemingly been answered with Pocognoli naming a larger squad of 28 first-team players, while handing first full call-ups to the likes of Sevilla’s Robbie Ure and Sassuolo’s Kieron Bowie.

He has also made the decision to recall Oli McBurnie after his impressive start to the season with Hull City in the Premier League, with the Tigers unbeaten in four, sitting fourth in the league table, with the striker starting all four games. McBurnie had been involved in Steve Clarke’s early squads, but had not received a call up for over five years.

Scotland Squad

Scott Bain FalkirkAngus Gunn San Jose Earthquakes Liam Kelly Rangers Jon McCracken Bradford City

Defenders

Luis Binks Brondby Josh Doig SassuoloColby Donovan CelticLuke Graham Stoke CityJack Hendry Al EttifaqAaron Hickey BrentfordScott McKenna Dinamo ZagrebNathan Patterson TorinoAndy Robertson Tottenham HotspurKieran Tierney CelticStephen Welsh Swansea City

Midfielders

Ryan Christie AFC BournemouthFindlay Curtis Rangers Lewis Ferguson BolognaBen Gannon-Doak AFC BournemouthBilly Gilmour NapoliLennon Miller UdineseKenny McLean Norwich CityJohn McGinn Aston VillaJosh McPake Heart of Midlothian

Forwards

Kieron Bowie Sassuolo Oli McBurnie Hull CityRobbie Ure SevillaJames Wilson Heart of Midlothian

Scotland will travel to Slovenia in their Nations League B opener on the 26th of September and then host Switzerland in Pocognoli’s first game at Hampden on the 29th. Scotland will then play North Macedonia away before Slovenia at home completes the extended international break.