Pocognoli names six uncapped players and recalls McBurnie in first Scotland squad

Sebastien Pocognoli has named a 28-man Scotland squad that includes six debutants and a recall for Hull City striker Oli McBurnie, who last represented his country in 2021, as the new head coach begins rebuilding after Steve Clarke’s departure.

Swansea defender Stephen Welsh, Celtic right-back Colby Donovan, Brondby defender Luis Binks, Stoke centre-back Luke Graham, Hearts winger Josh McPake and Sevilla striker Robbie Ure are all in line for first caps. Returning alongside McBurnie are goalkeepers Scott Bain and Jon McCracken, Udinese midfielder Lennon Miller, Sassuolo pair Josh Doig and Kieron Bowie, and Hearts attacker James Wilson.

Pocognoli cited “style of play, playing time, performances” as the criteria behind McBurnie’s recall after a five-and-a-half-year gap, and framed the selection as a deliberate reset. “I have to start a new journey,” the Belgian said. “What happened in the previous months and years is part of the past. Now I have to build something. It’s a new opportunity for some players, a really new beginning for other ones.”

Napoli midfielder Billy Gilmour is included after missing the World Cup qualifying campaign through injury, providing a familiar face in what is otherwise a significantly reshuffled group. Pocognoli described his aim as finding “the right mix between experienced players, new faces, first-cap players, young lads, players who are back,” adding that senior figures in the squad would be expected to “pass the DNA, the heritage and also the culture.”

Twelve players from Clarke’s final squad have been dropped, including retired goalkeeper Craig Gordon. Grant Hanley, George Hirst and Dominic Hyam are absent, as are John Souttar, Anthony Ralston and Tyler Fletcher — all cited as short of regular playing time — while Scott McTominay, Lawrence Shankland, Ross Stewart and Che Adams miss out through injury.

The most notable omission among fit players is Millwall’s Lyndon Dykes, who has scored three goals in the Championship this season and netted 10 in 53 internationals under Clarke. All five of Clarke’s preferred World Cup strikers are unavailable or excluded.

Scotland face Slovenia twice, North Macedonia and Switzerland across four Nations League fixtures in the coming international window.