Robbie Ure, Luis Binks, Colby Donovan, Josh McPake and Stephen Welsh receive first senior call-ups as Scotland begin a new Nations League campaign.
The squad decision: New Scotland head coach Sébastien Pocognoli has selected a 28-player group for four Nations League matches. Five players have earned their first senior call-ups, Oli McBurnie returns after more than five years away and 12 members of the World Cup squad are missing.
Sébastien Pocognoli has made an immediate change to Scotland’s player pool by naming five first-time senior selections in his opening squad. Sky Sports’ full Scotland squad report identifies Sevilla striker Robbie Ure, Brondby captain Luis Binks, Celtic right-back Colby Donovan, Hearts winger Josh McPake and Swansea City defender Stephen Welsh as the new arrivals.
BBC Sport also reports on Pocognoli’s first selection, while the Telegraph & Argus focuses on Jon McCracken’s Scotland call-up. The Bradford City goalkeeper has been brought back into the senior group as Scotland reshape the position following Craig Gordon’s retirement after the World Cup.
Scotland squad changes at a glance
- Five first senior call-ups: Robbie Ure, Luis Binks, Colby Donovan, Josh McPake and Stephen Welsh.
- Four goalkeepers selected: Scott Bain, Angus Gunn, Liam Kelly and Jon McCracken.
- Oli McBurnie returns after winning his most recent Scotland cap in 2021.
- Billy Gilmour is back after a knee injury ruled him out of Steve Clarke’s final squad.
- Twelve players from Scotland’s World Cup squad are absent from Pocognoli’s first group.
Who are Scotland’s five newcomers
| Player | Club and position | Why the call-up stands out |
|---|---|---|
| Robbie Ure | Sevilla, forward | Earned a LaLiga move after scoring 20 goals in 20 matches for Sirius |
| Luis Binks | Brondby, defender | Captains the Danish SuperLiga club and previously represented Scotland at under-18 level |
| Colby Donovan | Celtic, right-back | Has played in every Celtic match so far this season and replaces Anthony Ralston |
| Josh McPake | Hearts, winger | Rewarded for his form after moving from St Johnstone and scoring twice this season |
| Stephen Welsh | Swansea City, defender | Steps up after a productive loan season at Motherwell before his summer move |
Ure is the most eye-catching attacking addition. The former Rangers academy player took an unconventional route through Sweden before joining Sevilla, and he is also eligible to represent Ukraine through a grandparent. Former Scotland forward James McFadden told Sky Sports that Ure’s willingness to move abroad deserved respect and could increase competition in a position Scotland have struggled to fill consistently.
Goalkeeper selection begins a new chapter
Gordon’s retirement removes the most experienced option from the previous squad and leaves Pocognoli with a meaningful early decision. Angus Gunn remains in the group alongside Rangers goalkeeper Liam Kelly, while Scott Bain and McCracken return. Selecting four goalkeepers gives the new coach extra time to assess the position before the first match.
McCracken’s inclusion brings a strong club-level storyline into the camp. The 26-year-old has been playing for Bradford City, and his recall adds another candidate without claiming that Pocognoli has already chosen a new number one. The squad announcement confirms opportunity, not the starting order.
McBurnie and Gilmour return to the group
McBurnie’s recall is another clear break from the recent selection pattern. The Hull City striker has not played for Scotland since 2021, but Pocognoli has brought him back while Che Adams and Lawrence Shankland are unavailable. McFadden said the forward deserved another opportunity and could compete for the number nine role.
Gilmour returns after a knee problem forced him to withdraw from Clarke’s last squad. Luke Graham is retained after joining the pre-World Cup training camp in May, while Josh Doig, Kieron Bowie, Lennon Miller and James Wilson also come back into the senior group. Those selections give the squad more youth and players based across several European leagues.
Major absences change the shape of the squad
Scott McTominay is the biggest name missing as he recovers from minor heart surgery. Shankland is out with a hamstring injury and Adams is also injured. John Souttar, Anthony Ralston, Grant Hanley, Dominic Hyam, Tyler Fletcher, Lyndon Dykes, George Hirst and Ross Stewart are among the other World Cup players not selected.
The total turnover is substantial: only 14 members of the World Cup group appear in this squad. Some changes are forced by fitness or retirement, while others reflect Pocognoli’s first chance to assess alternatives. It would be premature to treat every omission as a permanent decision, particularly during a four-match window with several established players unavailable.
Scotland squad in full
- Goalkeepers: Scott Bain, Angus Gunn, Liam Kelly, Jon McCracken.
- Defenders: Luis Binks, Josh Doig, Colby Donovan, Luke Graham, Jack Hendry, Aaron Hickey, Scott McKenna, Nathan Patterson, Andy Robertson, Kieran Tierney, Stephen Welsh.
- Midfielders: Ryan Christie, Lewis Ferguson, Billy Gilmour, John McGinn, Kenny McLean, Josh McPake, Lennon Miller.
- Forwards: Kieron Bowie, Findlay Curtis, Ben Gannon-Doak, Oli McBurnie, Robbie Ure, James Wilson.
The first four Nations League fixtures
| Date | Fixture | Kick-off |
|---|---|---|
| September 26 | Slovenia vs Scotland | 2pm |
| September 29 | Scotland vs Switzerland | 7.45pm |
| October 3 | North Macedonia vs Scotland | 7.45pm |
| October 6 | Scotland vs Slovenia | 7.45pm |
The away match against Slovenia will be Pocognoli’s first game as Scotland head coach. Switzerland then visit three days later before another away trip to North Macedonia and the return fixture against Slovenia at Hampden. Four matches in 11 days should create opportunities beyond a single preferred starting lineup.
What Pocognoli’s first selection suggests
The squad combines an experienced core with players arriving through form, development and moves abroad. Captain Andy Robertson, John McGinn, Kieran Tierney and other established internationals remain, so this is a refresh rather than a complete reset. The newcomers widen the options at centre-back, right-back, wing and striker.
The first meaningful clues about Pocognoli’s football will come from his team selection in Slovenia. Until then, the squad tells a simpler story: places are available, club form is being rewarded and several positions will be contested during an unusually busy opening window.
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