A new era for Scotland has arrived as Sebastien Pocognoli takes charge of his first match, against Slovenia in the Nations League.
The 39-year-old Belgian was something of a surprise replacement for Steve Clarke, who resigned after seven years at the helm following the Tartan Army’s limp group-stage exit from the World Cup this summer.
Pocognoli is expected to shake things up as Scotland try to move away from the conservative team selections and style of play that defined the Clarke era and he’s selected a new-look squad for this first international break, which has games against Slovenia, Switzerland and North Macedonia. His first starting XI sees debuts for Swansea defender Stephen Welsh and Sevilla striker Robbie Ure, while Hull City striker Oli McBurnie will make his first appearance since 2021.
The Scots have returned to League B of the Nations League and a clash with Slovenia at Stadion Stozice in Ljubljana will provide an intriguing first test for Pocognoli as he begins the build-up to Euro 2028, where Scotland will be co-hosts.
Follow all the action from Pocognoli’s first game with our live blog below:
Slovenia v Scotland - live updates
- The Sebastien Pocognoli era begins for Scotland against Slovenia in the Nations League
- The match is live on BBC One with kick-off at 2pm BST
- 39-year-old Belgian Pocognoli was a surprise replacement for Steve Clarke after Scotland's World Cup exit
- Pocognoli is expected to bring a more expansive style than the conservative Clarke
- ANALYSIS: Scotland’s new era is a genuinely bold step into the unknown
- TEAM NEWS: Stephen Welsh and Robbie Ure make debuts; Oli McBurnie wins first cap since 2021
- Scotland XI: Gunn; Welsh, Hendry, McKenna; Hickey, Ferguson, Gilmour, Robertson; McGinn; Ure, McBurnie
Wirtz, Ronaldo, Alexander-Arnold: Which players have a point to prove during the international break?
13:06 , Luke Baker
A new cycle for international football begins with the Nations League over the next three weeks as many teams enter a new era under fresh leadership.
Jurgen Klopp’s comeback is the leading story of the international break as he returns to the dugout for the first time in two years, hoping to rebuild Germany after their calamitous World Cup exit to Paraguay in the last-32.
Klopp’s maiden outing will be against Germany’s storied rivals the Netherlands, who themselves have a new figure at the helm in the form of Barcelona legend Xavi. Scotland are another nation starting fresh with Belgian coach Sebastien Pocognoli succeeding Steve Clarke, while Roberto Mancini begins his second stint as Italy manager hoping to emulate the glory of his first.
But all eyes will not be on the technical area, with a plethora of players having a point to prove in a post-World Cup landscape, whether they played in North America this summer or not.
Here are 10 players to watch during the international break:
10 players with a point to prove during the international break
Scotland team news
13:00 , Luke Baker
Some further analysis of that Scotland line up.
Angus Gunn takes his place as Sebastien Pocognoli’s No 1, while Brondby centre-back Luis Binks will have to wait for his debut as Jack Hendry is preferred in the back three. We expected Stephen Welsh to debut and Scott McKenna to be in there.
Bologna’s Lewis Ferguson and Napoli’s Billy Gilmour will presumably form an all-Serie A double pivot in midfield as John McGinn roams further forwards, with Aaron Hickey and Andy Robertson (who remains as skipper) providing the width.
Oli McBurnie and Robbie Ure will then form a fascinating striker duo. There are plenty of options on the bench for Pocognoli to turn to if required.
Scotland XI: Gunn; Welsh, Hendry, McKenna; Hickey, Ferguson, Gilmour, Robertson; McGinn; Ure, McBurnie
Scotland team news
12:52 , Luke Baker
Ok, the team is in - we now know how Scotland will line up for Sebastien Pocognoli’s first fixture.
There are debuts for Swansea defender Stephen Welsh and Sevilla striker Robbie Ure, while Hull City striker Oli McBurnie will make his first appearance since 2021 as he lines up alongside Ure up top.
Pocognoli appears to be playing a back three, with Welsh alongside Jack Hendry and Scott McKenna as Aaron Hickey and captain Andy Robertson being the wing-backs.
Bring it on!
Scotland XI: Gunn; Welsh, Hendry, McKenna; Hickey, Ferguson, Gilmour, Robertson; McGinn; Ure, McBurnie
Sébastien Pocognoli’s first Scotland starting XI 🏴#SVNSCO pic.twitter.com/JC6RGOq1QJ
— Scotland National Team (@ScotlandNT) September 26, 2026
Team news imminent
12:44 , Luke Baker
Not long now until we find out how Scotland will line up in the first game under Pocognoli. It should be fascinating.
Will Oli McBurnie and Robbie Ure be thrust straight into the starting XI up top?
A three at the back including debutants Stephen Welsh and Luis Binks? We shall see
Pocognoli's first Scotland squad
12:36 , Luke Baker
Speaking of the changing nature of Scotland squads - here is a reminder of the first group named by Sebastien Pocognoli, including six new faces.
Those are Swansea defender Stephen Welsh, Celtic right-back Colby Donovan, Brondby defender Luis Binks, Stoke centre-back Luke Graham, Hearts winger Josh McPake and Sevilla striker Robbie Ure. Meanwhile, Hull striker Oli McBurnie could make a first appearance since 2021.
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)
Breakdown of the changing nature of Scotland squads
12:27 , Jamie Braidwood
There has been a fascinating transition in where Scottish players ply their club football trade over the past seven years
When Steve Clarke took charge and named his first squad in May 2019, 15 of his 27-man group played in Scotland, with a further 11 from the Premier League or the Championship in England.
By contrast, Pocognoli’s first squad named ahead of the new season of the Nations League features as many names who play in Italy (six) as there are from the Scottish Premiership, and that’s still without the unavailable Serie A-based Scott McTominay and Che Adams.
A sign of the times...
WATCH: Former Scotland boss Steve Clarke abandons post-match interview after just 23 seconds
12:18 , Luke Baker
Let’s hope Sebastien Pocognoli is more amenable to media questions, even in the tough moments...
ANALYSIS: Scotland’s new era is a genuinely bold step into the unknown
12:11 , Jamie Braidwood
Other appointments may have attracted more attention across the increasingly star-studded realm of international managers. It is hardly Sebastien Pocognoli’s fault, though, that unlike Jurgen Klopp or Zinedine Zidane or Thomas Tuchel or Carlo Ancelotti he is not yet a Champions League winning coach, armed with a CV that contains titles and trophies at Europe’s biggest clubs.
At 39, the Belgian is at the start of his managerial career, rather than approaching the end, having overseen just 107 senior games in spells at two clubs, Union Saint-Gilloise and Monaco.
But look around the countries embracing a fresh start following the summer’s World Cup and there is an argument that the challenge facing Pocognoli with Scotland is the most compelling of all.
That the Scottish Football Association has embraced the opportunity for a clean slate with such a bold and left-field choice, following seven years of playing safe under the risk-averse Steve Clarke, is notable in itself; Pocognoli has been charged with taking Scotland in a new direction, just at the moment when the options available to the Scotland manager have undergone a drastic change.
Read Jamie Braidwood’s full analysis of an absolutely fascinating hire:
Scotland’s new era is a genuinely bold step into the unknown
Sebastien Pocognoli ready for his debut
12:05 , Luke Baker
How will Sebastien Pocognoli do things as Scotland boss? It’s going to be absolutely fascinating today.
He took the squad for a walk around Ljubljana earlier today before heading to the stadium
Early Scotland team news
12:01 , Luke Baker
To be honest, we’re shooting in the dark a little bit in terms of knowing exactly how Sebastien Pocognoli will want his team to line up/how to play.
But, in terms of absences, Pocognoli is without Scott McTominay, Che Adams and Lawrence Shankland, while Kieran Tierney and Kenny McLean also withdrew from the squad.
Hull City striker Oli McBurnie has been recalled to the Scotland squad and could make his first appearance since 2021, while Swansea defender Stephen Welsh, Celtic right-back Colby Donovan, Brondby defender Luis Binks, Stoke centre-back Luke Graham, Hearts winger Josh McPake and Sevilla striker Robbie Ure have all received their first call-ups.
McBurnie and Ure could feature in the attack, due to absences of Adams, Shankland and Steve Clarke favourite Lyndon Dykes, while Welsh and Binks could come straight into a new-look defence, potentially as part of a back-three.
Possible Scotland XI: Gunn; Welsh, Binks, McKenna; Hickey, Ferguson, Gilmour, Robertson; McGinn; Ure, McBurnie
How to watch Slovenia v Scotland
11:59 , Luke Baker
Scotland face Slovenia at Stadion Stozice in Ljubljana this afternoon, with kick-off at 2pm BST.
The match will be shown live on BBC One, with coverage from 1:45pm.
Slovenia v Scotland
11:53 , Luke Baker
Welcome to The Independent’s coverage of Slovenia v Scotland in the Nations League
It’s an exciting new era for Scotland as Sebastien Pocognoli takes charge. Stick with us for full live coverage
