Sebastien Pocognoli sends Scotland players to under‑21s at La Manga

At the sun‑baked La Manga training base, Rangers winger Findlay Curtis and Hearts striker James Wilson were told they would leave Sebastien Pocognoli’s senior squad and join Tony Docherty’s Scotland Under‑21 side for the upcoming European Championship qualifier against Azerbaijan.

Senior squad reshuffle at La Manga

Comment notes that the talented duo remain in the Belgian’s plans but will return to Under‑21 duty to gain valuable competitive minutes. The Belgian coach, Sebastien Pocognoli, is preparing his first Nations League fixture against Slovenia in Ljubljana on Saturday, and neither Curtis nor Wilson were expected to feature from the start.

Instead of keeping them on the bench, the decision gives the two players immediate game time with the younger side at Rugby Park. Both remain members of the senior squad and can be recalled for later Nations League matches, preserving their senior status while sharpening their match fitness.

During the international break the former Dundee manager, Tony Docherty, has been in Spain, meeting Pocognoli and assessing players who may move between the two levels. He will therefore take charge of his first Under‑21 match with Curtis and Wilson already in the squad, illustrating the new crossover pathway.

Under‑21s gain fresh options for Azerbaijan

The Under‑21s face Azerbaijan in Ayrshire the day after Scotland’s senior side meets Switzerland at Hampden Park. This penultimate qualifier offers a chance for the young side to keep its European Championship hopes alive while the senior team continues its Nations League campaign.

Pocognoli blames tactical drift as Scotland fall to Slovenia at Hampden

Scotland will travel to Skopje to face North Macedonia on 3 October before returning to Glasgow for the return fixture against Slovenia on 6 October, meaning Curtis and Wilson could re‑join Pocognoli’s squad depending on the senior team’s needs.

The arrangement is designed to ensure fringe senior players continue to get meaningful competitive football, rather than merely providing training numbers for the senior group.

Pocognoli has spoken of the importance of developing players coming through, while Docherty’s remit is to prepare the next generation for senior football. Allowing promising players to move between the groups gives both managers greater flexibility and, crucially, keeps young players playing competitive football.

Scotland feel the November chill at Hampden after surprise loss

Oli McBurnie, an uncapped defender, also received a shock call‑up as part of Pocognoli’s broader transition at Hampden, underscoring the fluidity of the new system.

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