Pocognoli says Scotland stay on track after Slovenia defeat

By JOHN MCGARRY, SCOTTISH CHIEF SPORTS FEATURE WRITER, 6 October 2026, Sebastien Pocognoli claimed Scotland were still on track under his watch despite a meek home defeat to Slovenia last night.

Half‑time lead evaporates

Ryan Christie’s strike gave Scotland the advantage at the break, but the Belgian‑born manager’s side wilted in the second period. Slovenia equalised through Aljosa Matko and then took the lead with a soft goal from Danijel Sturm.

Pocognoli’s brief tenure

Having taken charge of only four matches as Steve Clarke’s successor, Pocognoli has collected four points in the Nations League so far.

He admitted the performance fell short of expectations, saying, “The assessment is trying to be objective about the game. I think we played not the game that we wanted to deliver.”

Players’ reaction

Captain Andy Robertson, presented with a ceremonial shirt by former managers Gordon Strachan, Alex McLeish and Steve Clarke, expressed fury, describing the display as “not good enough” and insisting Scotland were “outfought by the Slovenians”.

Robertson added that the team failed to replicate the positives shown on Saturday and questioned whether fatigue played a part.

Implications for the league

The loss, the second home defeat under Pocognoli, leaves Scotland three points behind Slovenia with fixtures against North Macedonia and Switzerland remaining.

Only second place guarantees a pot‑two seeding for the Euro 2028 draw in December; a slip to pot three would require an extraordinary turn of events.

Pocognoli concluded, “There are still two games to go. Slovenia is now leading us in second place. We need to get six points out of six and hope Slovenia lose some points.”