Who will Pocognoli include in first Scotland squad?

A new head coach, a new era – but will there be a new-look squad?

Sebastien Pocognoli will reveal all on Tuesday ahead of his first match as Scotland head coach in the Nations League later this month.

Four games over two weeks await the nation and the 39-year-old – but how different will that group be from the 26 that previous boss Steve Clarke took to the USA for the World Cup?

With big decisions to be made across every area of the pitch and some big absentees due to injury, we take a look at some of the big dilemmas that face the Belgian…

Who is the answer to Scotland’s goalkeeping issue?

Finding a long-term answer to who is Scotland’s No.1 was a problem Clarke struggled with and one that Pocognoli inherits.

After just 45 minutes of club action last season, Angus Gunn saw his contract at Nottingham Forest expire over the summer. Despite a lack of game time, he did start all three group games at the World Cup. The 30-year-old has since joined San Jose Earthquakes and is playing regularly in the MLS but has conceded 21 goals in 10 games.

Craig Gordon and Liam Kelly were also in the USA, but the former has now retired, and the latter is yet to feature for Rangers this season. There are decisions to be made.

Falkirk’s Scott Bain missed out on a place in Clarke’s final squad despite playing more minutes than Gunn, Gordon and Kelly combined. He has played all five of the Bairns’ Premiership games this season and could return after earning his last Scotland cap back in March.

Liam McFarlane went to America as the training goalkeeper and could be another option as back-up.

On loan at Partick Thistle from Hearts, he has kept four clean sheets this season and conceded just one goal in five Championship games this season.

Defensive decisions

While many will keep their place, like captain Andy Robertson, for others it could be the end of the road.

Grant Hanley has been a solid servant for Scotland, but not all of his 70 caps have come without criticism.

The 34-year-old missed Hibernian’s League Cup win at Ross County due to injury. Even if he is available for international duty, Pocognoli could look at other options as Scotland look to improve their ability to defend higher up the pitch.

John Souttar has been told his long-term future is away from Rangers and has not even made the bench this season. Could being an unused member of Clarke’s World Cup squad be his final involvement, for now at least?

The versatility of his Ibrox team-mate Ross McCrorie could see him in the new manager’s thoughts, given he can play in defence or midfield.

Anthony Ralston could be another to miss out. Called up as a back-up for Aaron Hickey at international level, Ralston has now fallen down the pecking order at Celtic, with teenager Colby Donovan being favoured this season.

The current Scotland U21 right-back will make the first team at some point, even if he is kept out of this squad due to the likes of Hickey, Max Johnston and Nathan Patterson, who has moved to Torino.

Left-back Josh Doig is another in Italy and could be set for a recall, having impressed for Serie A club Sassuolo. Elsewhere, James Penrice has impressed since moving to Rangers on loan, Luke Graham is continuing to go from strength to strength since joining Stoke from Dundee, and Swansea City’s Stephen Welsh could be in the mix after his impressive loan spell at Motherwell from Celtic last season.

Who could make it in midfield

Napoli’s Billy Gilmour should return to the Scotland squad after a knee injury forced him out of the World Cup squad.

He has played 90 minutes back-to-back against Arsenal in the Champions League, and then in a 1-0 Serie A win against Bologna on Sunday.

Tyler Fletcher, who has started this season in Manchester United’s academy squad, was his replacement for America, drafted in ahead of Lennon Miller.

The former Motherwell star Miller is yet to nail down a regular starting spot at Udinese but having started consecutive matches, could he step in for Scott McTominay, who will be missing after undergoing heart surgery?

Hibernian’s Josh Mulligan has been involved in the national squad before but has yet to be capped. The 23-year-old impressed in the Edinburgh derby with Pocognoli in attendance.

Could Hearts provide striker solutions?

Scotland will be without Rangers striker Lawrence Shankland following surgery on an ACL injury, but his former club could have some solutions.

James Wilson has looked impressive since his return to Hearts after a loan spell at Spurs and scored their opener against Hibs at Easter Road in front of the national team boss.

Fellow Tynecastle summer signings Calvin Miller and Josh McPake have also made an impact. Both have featured at Scotland youth level, but could the Belgian be looking at them for his Nations League squad?

Lyndon Dykes has scored three goals in six league games for Millwall this season, but just one in his last nine Scotland appearances raises questions about his future under Pocognoli.

Could Oli McBurnie’s Scotland exile be at an end?

The 30-year-old, who won his last of 17 caps in 2021, was not considered by Clarke for the World Cup despite his 18 Championship goals for Hull City as they secured promotion.

He has also played almost every minute of their four Premier League games this season.

Robbie Ure is another wildcard to consider.

His 20 goals in 20 games for Swedish side Sirius secured him a £5.5m move to Sevilla this summer. Although he is yet to score for the La Liga side, his attacking prowess cannot be disputed.

And there is also Kieron Bowie, after his strong start to the season in Italy, scoring in Sassuolo’s win against Juventus on Sunday.

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