Pocognoli Names Second Scotland Squad After Back-to-Back Home Defeats
Sébastien Pocognoli names his second Scotland squad on Tuesday, after two home defeats in a row in the Nations League.
The Nations League is a competition where European national teams play each other in groups, and the results decide who moves up or down. Scotland are in League B1, a group within the competition's second tier. Their final two matches are both in that group. First comes a home game against North Macedonia, who sit bottom. Then they travel to Switzerland, who lead the table.
Pocognoli is the head coach, so the squad he picks now will decide who gets the chance to turn things around. BBC Sport reports that the list is due on Tuesday, and that Scott McTominay was not part of his first selection.
McTominay's absence stands out because of his form at club level. He has returned from minor heart surgery and has scored two doubles, meaning two goals in a single match, for Napoli since. Billy Gilmour, who also plays for Napoli, came on as a substitute in their win over Monza and in their defeat by Juventus.
Other players have a more mixed picture. Kenny McLean pulled out of the last squad with an injury. Since then he has played only 45 minutes as a substitute for Norwich City, and he missed their win over Watford. Scott McKenna has missed Dinamo Zagreb's last two games and is ruled out for the next two weeks.
There is better news elsewhere. Kieran Tierney also pulled out of the last squad through injury, but he is back playing regularly for Celtic. Andy Robertson has started Tottenham Hotspur's three straight wins, a run that will catch the eye of anyone choosing a left-back.
Some players are newer to the set-up. Kristi Montgomery was a surprise addition to the last squad. She has never played for Scotland before, which is what "uncapped" means, and she is a regular starter for Blackburn Rovers. In goal, Angus Gunn was left on the bench for San Jose Earthquakes' win over Real Salt Lake. Scott Bain, one of the other keepers in the squad, played for Falkirk in their first win over Celtic in 19 years.
Pocognoli's first squad, named in September, included Oli McBurnie and seven players who had never worn the Scotland shirt. Luke Graham, a centre-half at Stoke City, and Robbie Ure, a striker at Sevilla, were also getting their first full call-ups. Some of those names may return on Tuesday. Others may not.
For supporters, the next two matches matter because they decide how Scotland finish in their group. A home win over the bottom side would steady things. A trip to the top side is always harder, and Switzerland will be the favourites. Whoever Pocognoli names will have to bring energy and sharp finishing to both games, and the list is the first sign of how he plans to do it.
