Pocognoli vows he will not chase players for Scotland
Sebastien Pocognoli, the Belgian appointed Scotland head coach, unveiled his first 28‑man squad on Tuesday and insisted he will not beg players to represent Scotland. He said the timing felt right and that he prefers personal contact over persuasion as the team prepares for a training camp in Spain.
The announcement was reported by JOHN MCGARRY, SCOTTISH CHIEF SPORTS FEATURE WRITER, on September 15, 2026. The selection features half of the players who did not feature at the World Cup under Steve Clarke. Seven members are uncapped: Robbie Ure, Luis Binks, Colby Donovan, Luke Graham, Stephen Welsh, Josh McPake and keeper Jon McCracken. The list reflects Pocognoli’s willingness to broaden the pool.
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Oli McBurnie, overlooked by Clarke since March 2021, earned a recall after scoring 19 goals for Hull City last season. Sergej Jakirovic’s side now sit fourth in the Premier League. His inclusion signals Pocognoli’s focus on form. The squad was Selected by the SFA following Clarke’s departure.
Other returning players include Scott Bain, Kieron Bowie, Lennon Miller and James Wilson. All have previously featured for Scotland. Their experience adds depth to the squad.
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Pocognoli’s personal outreach
Pocognoli phoned each of the 28 players ahead of the Spain camp. He recounted a conversation with Luis Binks, a former England youth international now at Brondby, to illustrate his approach. He stressed he will not try to persuade anyone whose heart isn’t in the Dark Blue.
Before announcing the squad, Pocognoli spoke with Steve Clarke for a ten‑minute chat. Clarke praised the national team culture and offered kind words about Pocognoli’s appointment. He said the talk focused on national team culture rather than past performance. The former Union Saint‑Gilloise and Monaco manager described the exchange as ‘class’.
Scotland will face Slovenia in the Nations League on Saturday, with later fixtures against Switzerland and North Macedonia in a quadruple‑header. The training camp in Spain runs for five days, giving the new group a chance to bond. The camp will be the first opportunity for the uncapped players to train together. Pocognoli said the early eye contact can provide advantages.
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He added that informal conversations will continue throughout the camp, rather than a simple ‘you are selected’ notice. Pocognoli believes this personal touch will help players feel the right timing to commit to Scotland.