Sebastien Pocognoli names his first Scotland squad on Tuesday, and the Tartan Army is making no secret of what they want: new faces. After seven years of Steve Clarke's loyalty-first approach — admirable in building stability, quietly maddening when form clearly pointed elsewhere — the Belgium appointment feels like a genuine reset.
The Nations League B fixtures against Slovenia, Switzerland and North Macedonia don't carry World Cup weight, but first squads set tones. How boldly Pocognoli acts this week will tell us plenty about how he plans to run this job.
The goalkeeper situation is quietly a mess
Angus Gunn is likely in the frame despite conceding 21 goals in nine MLS games for San Jose Earthquakes. Craig Gordon has retired. Liam Kelly hasn't featured since Derek McInnes took over at Rangers. That's potentially two spots up for grabs before Pocognoli has even written a name down.
Scott Bain has done enough at Falkirk to force consideration — four caps, regular Premiership football, his manager John McGlynn tipping him to start later this month. But the more interesting name is Liam McFarlane. The 21-year-old Hearts stopper, currently on loan at Partick Thistle, has conceded one goal in five Championship games. He was the training goalkeeper at the World Cup. He's already in the building. Getting him capped sooner rather than later is just common sense squad management.
Defenders pushing for spots — and one very interesting import
Grant Hanley is 34 and picked up a knock for Hibs. John Souttar hasn't made a Rangers matchday squad all season. The door at centre-back isn't just ajar — it's wide open.
Stephen Welsh has carried his impressive Motherwell loan form straight into the Championship with Swansea. Luke Graham moved from Dundee to Stoke after training with the senior squad before the World Cup. Both are in contention. But the name generating the most noise is Luis Binks — a 25-year-old who captains Brondby in the Danish Superliga, previously represented Scotland at under-18 level, and has publicly stated his desire to pull on the dark blue. Clarke never called. Pocognoli has no baggage here.
At right-back, Colby Donovan has been thrown into Celtic's first team ahead of World Cup squad member Anthony Ralston. That tells its own story. The 20-year-old is competing for a spot against Aaron Hickey, Nathan Patterson and Max Johnston — a crowded but exciting picture for a position Scotland struggled with for years.
Robbie Ure is the wildcard forward everyone's been debating since July. Twenty goals and three assists in 20 games for Sirius in Sweden earned him a £5.5m move to Sevilla — and he's eligible for Ukraine, which means Pocognoli may want to tie him down before that conversation starts. He hasn't scored in La Liga yet, but he's 22 and the trajectory is obvious.
- Kieron Bowie (Sassuolo) — scored against Juventus on Sunday, two career goals against the Old Lady now, two caps and counting
- Oli McBurnie (Hull City, third in the Premier League) — torn relationship with Clarke, clean slate possible under Pocognoli
- Lennon Miller (Udinese) — struggles to start in Serie A but Scott McTominay is recovering from heart surgery
- Josh Mulligan (Hibs) — 23, uncapped, impressed Pocognoli directly when he attended the Edinburgh derby
The Hearts trio making a compelling case
There's a legitimate argument that Wouter Vrancken's first-choice front three at Hearts — James Wilson, Calvin Miller and Josh McPake — all deserve to be on the plane together. Wilson looks reinvigorated. McPake announced himself at Easter Road with a goal in front of the Scotland head coach. Miller has taken his Championship form seamlessly into the Premiership.
Whether Pocognoli values that kind of club chemistry enough to bring all three in one go is the question. Clarke almost certainly wouldn't have. That distinction might be exactly the point.
Billy Gilmour, back fit and playing Champions League football for Napoli, will almost certainly headline the squad. Everything else is up for debate. Tuesday's announcement is the first real evidence of what Pocognoli's Scotland actually looks like.
