What's happened
Scotland’s new manager Pocognoli has named his squad while stressing the need for continuity after four Nations League games. He returns McTominay and others, and says the team must translate first-camp improvements into results to secure Euro 2028 qualification.
What's behind the headline?
Key takeaways
- Pocognoli is emphasising continuity after an initial camp, aiming to translate good moments into goals and clean sheets.
- He is assessing how to best integrate Scott McTominay, a pivotal figure, into the game plan while balancing other returning players.
- The upcoming fixtures against North Macedonia and Switzerland will test whether early improvements can become consistent results.
What this means for readers
- Scotland remains in the race for the play-offs, but needs wins to ease pressure on the manager and build confidence heading into Euro 2028. The focus on structure and leadership signals a plan to avoid past defensive lapses and convert chances into goals.
How we got here
Pocognoli has taken over Scotland from Steve Clarke, reassembling a squad and evaluating performances after a challenging start to the Nations League. He aims to stabilise the team, harness McTominay’s leadership, and pursue qualification from the group ahead of the Euro 2028 draw.
Our analysis
The Scotsman (Alan Pattullo), BBC (Pocognoli quotes), The Scotsman update on squad selections. Read in full for context and direct quotes from the manager and players.
Go deeper
- Will McTominay’s return change Scotland’s balance in midfield?
- Can Pocognoli sustain the momentum against North Macedonia and Switzerland?
- What does the Euro 2028 draw mean for Scotland’s qualification chances?
More on these topics
-
Slovenia - Country in the Balkans
Slovenia, officially the Republic of Slovenia, is a country located in Europe at the crossroads of main European cultural and trade routes.
-
Steve Clarke - Scottish football manager
Stephen Clarke is a Scottish professional football manager and former player who is the manager of the Scotland national team. Clarke played for St Mirren, Chelsea and the Scotland national team, winning three major trophies with Chelsea towards the end o
-
Switzerland - Country in Europe
Switzerland, officially the Swiss Confederation, is a country situated in the confluence of Western, Central, and Southern Europe. It is a federal republic composed of 26 cantons, with federal authorities based in Bern.
-
North Macedonia - Country in the Balkans
North Macedonia, officially the Republic of North Macedonia, is a country in the Balkan Peninsula in Southeast Europe. It gained its independence in 1991 as one of the successor states of Yugoslavia.
-
Scotland - Country of the United Kingdom
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Covering the northern third of the island of Great Britain, mainland Scotland has a 96 mile border with England to the southeast and is otherwise surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the north and w
-
Hampden Park - Stadium in Glasgow, Scotland
Hampden Park is a football stadium in the Mount Florida area of Glasgow, Scotland. The 51,866-capacity venue serves as the national stadium of football in Scotland.
-
Belfast - Capital of Northern Ireland
Belfast is the capital and largest city of Northern Ireland, standing on the banks of the River Lagan on the east coast. It is the 12th-largest city in the United Kingdom and the second-largest on the island of Ireland.
-
James Penrice - Footballer
James Penrice is a Scottish footballer who plays as a left-back for Livingston.
-
Oli McBurnie - Footballer
Oliver Robert McBurnie is a professional footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Sheffield United and the Scotland national team.
-
Kieran Tierney - Footballer
Kieran Tierney is a Scottish professional footballer who plays for Premier League side Arsenal and the Scotland national team as a left back or centre-back. Born on the Isle of Man, Tierney moved to Lanarkshire when he was 1 year old.
-
UEFA Euro 2028 - Tournament
The 2028 UEFA European Football Championship, commonly referred to as UEFA Euro 2028 or simply Euro 2028, will be the 18th edition of the UEFA European Championship, the quadrennial international men's football championship of Europe organised by UEFA.
-
Scott McTominay - Footballer
Scott Francis McTominay is a Scottish professional footballer who plays as a central midfielder for Premier League club Manchester United and the Scotland national team.