Tuesday's Scotland squad announcement isn't just a routine selection. It's the first real signal of what Sebastien Pocognoli actually thinks — and after years of Steve Clarke's loyalty-first policy, a significant chunk of the Tartan Army is waiting to see if the Belgian is willing to break the cycle.
Clarke's consistency was both his greatest strength and his most criticised trait. It got Scotland to a World Cup for the first time in 28 years. It also meant certain players waited years for a chance that never came. Pocognoli inherits a squad that came home early from the United States and a fanbase ready for something different.
The Nations League B fixtures against Slovenia, Switzerland and North Macedonia are the backdrop. The real story is who's in the picture for the first time.
A goalkeeping situation that hasn't got simpler
Angus Gunn is the incumbent but has conceded 21 goals in nine MLS games for San Jose Earthquakes — not the form that demands an automatic recall. Craig Gordon has retired. Liam Kelly hasn't featured since Derek McInnes took over at Rangers. That's potentially two spots open before Pocognoli has even picked up a pen.
Scott Bain has done enough to push for inclusion — steady Premiership football with Falkirk, four caps already, and his manager John McGlynn publicly backing him to start this month. Behind him, 21-year-old Liam McFarlane has conceded just one goal in five Championship games since joining Partick Thistle on loan from Hearts. He was Scotland's training goalkeeper at the World Cup. Bringing him into the fold now, as third choice with an eye on the future, is the obvious move.
New faces who've earned the conversation
At centre-back, Grant Hanley limped off in Hibs' defeat by St Johnstone and John Souttar hasn't made a single Rangers matchday squad this season. The door is open. Stephen Welsh has been excellent at Swansea after a strong loan spell at Motherwell. Luke Graham made the move from Dundee to Stoke City after training with the A-squad ahead of the World Cup. Luis Binks captains Brondby in the Danish Superliga, previously played Scotland under-18s, and gave an interview last month openly calling for a call-up — one Clarke never gave him. The clamour online has been loud since. The ball is squarely in Pocognoli's court.
In midfield, Billy Gilmour returns from knee injury and will almost certainly be named. He lasted the full match in Napoli's Champions League opener against Arsenal last week. His absence in the States hurt. Lennon Miller is still finding his feet at Udinese and hasn't nailed down a starting spot in Serie A. Josh Mulligan at Hibs — 23, uncapped, but consistent in a struggling side — is another name worth watching after Pocognoli attended the Edinburgh derby earlier this month.
Up front, Lawrence Shankland is injured and Lyndon Dykes, at 30, is running out of runway. Che Adams has two goals in three Serie A games for Torino and looks nailed on. Kieron Bowie just scored against Juventus — his second career goal against them — after joining Sassuolo in the summer. Robbie Ure moved to Sevilla for £5.5m after 20 goals in 20 games in Sweden and is eligible for Ukraine, which gives Pocognoli a real incentive to move fast. Oli McBurnie, meanwhile, is third in the Premier League with Hull City and set up a goal against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday. Clarke was done with him. Whether Pocognoli offers a clean slate is one of the more interesting subplots of Tuesday's announcement.
- GK: Liam McFarlane (Partick Thistle, on loan from Hearts) — one goal conceded in five Championship games
- CB: Stephen Welsh (Swansea City), Luke Graham (Stoke City), Luis Binks (Brondby)
- MF: Billy Gilmour (Napoli), Josh Mulligan (Hibernian), Lennon Miller (Udinese)
- FW: Kieron Bowie (Sassuolo), Robbie Ure (Sevilla), Oli McBurnie (Hull City)
There's also a compelling case for Hearts' front three of James Wilson, Calvin Miller and Josh McPake to all be named — Pocognoli was in the stand when McPake scored at Easter Road. Whether he was watching casually or taking notes is a question Tuesday will answer.
Pocognoli inherits a squad in transition and a fanbase that's been patient long enough. The Nations League isn't a World Cup qualifier. There's room to experiment. The only real question is whether he takes it.
