Pocognoli Declines to Beg Players for Scotland National Team
New Scotland manager Sebastien Pocognoli states he will not persuade players to represent the country if their commitment is not genuine.
Sebastien Pocognoli, the new Scotland national team manager, has asserted that he will not pressure players into committing to represent the country. Pocognoli announced his inaugural 28-player squad on Tuesday, which includes a significant number of players who were not part of the previous World Cup squad under his predecessor, Steve Clarke.
The squad features seven uncapped players: Robbie Ure, Luis Binks, Colby Donovan, Luke Graham, Stephen Welsh, Josh McPake, and goalkeeper Jon McCracken. Oli McBurnie has been recalled to the team following a successful season with Hull City, where he scored 19 goals. Scott Bain, Kieron Bowie, Lennon Miller, and James Wilson also make a return to the squad.
Pocognoli revealed that he personally contacted each of the 28 players selected for an upcoming training camp in Spain. These players will also be considered for upcoming Nations League matches against Slovenia, Switzerland, and North Macedonia.
Speaking about his conversation with Luis Binks, a former England youth international now playing for Danish club Brondby, Pocognoli emphasized his philosophy. "For me it's timing, the timing was right with him," Pocognoli said. "But if I have to convince players to represent Scotland, he will not be there."
When questioned about players eligible to play for Scotland but born in England, such as Harvey Barnes and Hayden Hackney, Pocognoli reiterated his stance. "Like I said, it's about timing. Just about the feeling," he stated. "And the doors are never closed. So, we will see in the future. But we just need to feel if it's the right timing or not."
Pocognoli, formerly the manager of Union Saint-Gilloise and Monaco, described his calls to the players as informal conversations aimed at building a connection, drawing from his experience with the Belgian youth team. He noted that the players responded positively and intends to continue this approach during the training camp.
The new manager also shared that he had a productive discussion with his predecessor, Steve Clarke. "It was class from him, and I was very happy to have that 10-minute conversation," Pocognoli said. Clarke reportedly shared his experiences and the significance of representing Scotland, offering positive insights to Pocognoli.