Sebastien Pocognoli, the new Scotland head coach, told Sky Sports he felt
“We need to make sure that the balance stays right, and to keep what makes the Scotland team really strong, it was the cohesion and really proper DNA in the team, and the spirit needs to stay.
The Belgian are training in the La Manga sunshine for the first time this week as they prepare for their Nations League opener against Slovenia, with the game kicking off at 7.45pm on Friday.
His first squad saw five players handed their first full Scotland call-ups, with Blackburn Rovers midfielder Kristi Montgomery called up after Kieran Tierney and Kenny McLean withdrew.
The Scotland players are training in La Manga ahead of their Nations League opener
The longer international break – with four Nations League matches – gives the new boss more time with his squad as he looks to make an impact as Steve Clarke’s successor.
“We have plenty of experience in the team, there are some new faces and young lads, and I think we have a good mix,” Pocognoli told Sky Sports News.
Kristi Montgomery has been added to the Scotland squad
“The needed change was at this moment, because we follow the timelines, and the change is just about the things that we want to create on the pitch.
It’s also about performance in your club and injury, and at the same time you need to make the change.
“What was provided in the past is massive to use it for the future.
“It’s to find the right balance, like I said, so the experienced players will be important to continue to take care of this, and from the coaching staff perspective, we need to be aligned about what we want to achieve together.
“I want to see a team who are just really together; it’s quite basic – attack together, defend together – but that’s part of the Scotland mentality.”
Oli McBurnie is included in the Scotland squad for the first time since 2021
The Pocognoli era officially gets underway in Ljubljana on Saturday, with a game against Switzerland at Hampden Park three days later.
The squad then fly to North Macedonia on October 3 before returning to Glasgow to face Slovenia again on October 6.
Scotland were demoted from Nations League A after a play-off defeat by Greece last year and return to the second tier for this year’s competition.
“There are many ways to be successful,” the 39-year-old added.
For me, in the Nations League, it’s about staying competitive and trying to be as high as possible in the ranking to go to League A.
“But just to recognise some principles on the pitch, recognise who are the leaders on the pitch, see some young lads playing, see team cohesion on the pitch.
“Also, to get the supporters excited. If we can combine with the result, and that’s why we do this job, I would be really happy.”
Scotland squad in full:
Goalkeepers: Scott Bain (Falkirk), Angus Gunn (San Jose Earthquakes), Liam Kelly (Rangers), Jon McCracken (Bradford City)
Defenders: Luis Binks (Brondby), Josh Doig (Sassuolo), Colby Donovan (Celtic), Luke Graham (Stoke City), Jack Hendry (Al-Ettifaq), Aaron Hickey (Brentford), Scott McKenna (Dinamo Zagreb), Nathan Patterson (Torino), Andy Robertson (Tottenham), Stephen Welsh (Swansea City)
Midfielders: Ryan Christie (Bournemouth), Lewis Ferguson (Bologna), Billy Gilmour (Napoli), John McGinn (Aston Villa), Josh McPake (Hearts), Lennon Miller (Udinese), Kristie Montgomery (Blackburn Rovers)
Forwards: Kieron Bowie (Sassuolo), Findlay Curtis (Rangers), Ben Gannon-Doak (Bournemouth), Oli McBurnie (Hull City), Robbie Ure (Sevilla), James Wilson (Hearts)
Scotland’s Nations League fixtures
Slovenia vs Scotland – September 26, kick-off 2pm
Scotland vs Switzerland – September 29, kick-off 7.45pm
N. Macedonia vs Scotland – October 3, kick-off 7.45pm
Scotland vs Slovenia – October 6, kick-off 7.45pm
Scotland vs N. Macedonia – November 13, kick-off 7.45pm
Switzerland vs Scotland – November 16, kick-off 7.45pm
