Scotland squad takes shape ahead of new coach's first match
Scotland's squad for the upcoming Nations League fixtures has been affected by injuries to key players. New head coach Sebastien Pocognoli has called up several uncapped players. The team faces Slovenia in his first match in charge.
Pocognoli's squad has been hit hard by withdrawals. Scott McTominay needs minor heart surgery, while Lawrence Shankland, Che Adams, Kenny McLean, and Kieran Tierney are out. The only new call-up is uncapped Kristi Montgomery. In goal, Angus Gunn starts regularly for San Jose, with Scott Bain and Jon McCracken also playing, leaving Liam Kelly as the sole non-starter.
Up front, Oli McBurnie, Robbie Ure, and James Wilson all started for their clubs, while Kieron Bowie, Findlay Curtis, and Ben Gannon-Doak were substitutes. In midfield, all seven original picks started, including Billy Gilmour scoring for Napoli and Lewis Ferguson captaining Bologna. John McGinn assisted for Aston Villa, and Ryan Christie earned a rare start. Nathan Patterson came on as a sub for Torino.
The injury crisis could test Scotland's squad depth under a new coach, potentially influencing Nations League results and fan confidence. Young players like Montgomery may gain valuable international experience, which could benefit the national team long-term. However, the absence of key midfielders and defenders may disrupt team cohesion, possibly affecting ticket sales and broadcast interest. Supporters may feel anxious about the debut, but also excited about fresh talent.