Scotland Squad Selection Debated Ahead of Nations League Opener

Sebastien Pocognoli's Scotland squad is set to fly to Ljubljana for their opening Nations League game against Slovenia on Saturday, but questions linger about how the new head coach will shape his starting lineup. Pocognoli has introduced a significant number of new faces to the squad, a move that has been met with approval from supporters calling for a shake-up.

However, the extent to which these changes will be reflected in the actual starting XI remains a topic of discussion. Former Scotland winger Pat Nevin suggested that starting more than two uncapped players would be "slightly bizarre," while ex-international James McFadden believes the team will likely appear "pretty similar" with no "big surprises."

Defensive Considerations

Pocognoli's past tactical preferences suggest a potential inclination towards a back-three formation. The inclusion of uncapped defenders Stephen Welsh, Luke Graham, and Luis Binks could indicate future plans, but for the immediate match, a more established trio might be favored. Jack Hendry and Scott McKenna are often considered strong candidates, though the presence of left-footed competition in Graham and Binks adds another layer of consideration for the center-back roles.

McFadden proposed that utilizing Brentford right-back Aaron Hickey in a center-back position could help "drive" the team forward. "I hope the centre-backs aren't the players on the team who have the ball the most," McFadden commented on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast. "I don't want to see this centre-back to centre-back play. If they're getting it, I want them to drive and I think, if you had Hickey as a right-centre-back, he'd be driving into the play and trying to commit to going forward."

Midfield Dynamics

Billy Gilmour is expected to be a key figure in midfield, returning to the squad after recovering from injury and scoring for Napoli in Serie A. Nevin stated he would consider leaving the stadium if Gilmour were not in the starting lineup, anticipating he would partner Bologna captain Lewis Ferguson. Robertson is also expected to feature at wing-back.

"You're not going to go and change the midfield up. I don't think there's a need for a change for change's sake," McFadden noted. "I think that the freshness was needed, but I'm just looking forward to seeing them actually play and see if there's any difference in how they approach it - if they are more aggressive in a press and more dominant with possession."

Aston Villa captain John McGinn is also central to Scotland's midfield plans. With Scott McTominay absent due to recovery from surgery, Nevin suggested that McGinn's explosiveness in the final third should be utilized, advocating for him to play slightly further forward.

Attacking Options

While familiar names are likely to feature in key positions, the forward line may see some variation. Oli McBurnie, with 16 caps, is a strong contender to lead the line. His return to international duty after an absence is seen by McFadden as an opportunity for McBurnie to prove himself. "He's coming back with a point to prove, which I like," McFadden said. "You've got someone who will give their all, which is how Oli plays anyway, and he'll feel privileged that he's got the opportunity to play again."

Bournemouth winger Ben Gannon-Doak could occupy a right-sided role, depending on Hickey's positioning. Ryan Christie of Bournemouth is also a familiar option for the left side of the front three.