Pocognoli faces midfield and defensive calls for Scotland squad
Sebastien Pocognoli names his second Scotland squad on Tuesday with midfield selection, an injury-hit defence and striking options to resolve before crucial Nations League games.
Sebastien Pocognoli will name his second Scotland squad on Tuesday, with several selection questions to settle before the final two League B1 matches. Scotland sit after back-to-back home Nations League defeats and likely need at least four points from home to bottom-placed North Macedonia and away to table-topping Switzerland to have any chance of finishing second, while also needing Slovenia to slip up. Losing the first game at Hampden could even leave relegation to League C possible.
The return of Scott McTominay is expected to be central to the squad after he was the major absentee from Pocognoli's first selection. The midfielder has scored two doubles for Napoli since returning from minor heart surgery. Billy Gilmour has had less game time at Napoli, but he has been an automatic pick under Pocognoli alongside Lewis Ferguson, while Ryan Christie has started four of Bournemouth's six straight wins without conceding.
Midfield places are less certain elsewhere. Kristi Montgomery remains a regular starter for Blackburn Rovers, Lennon Miller made a rare start for Udinese but could not prevent a heavy home defeat by Roma, and Kenny McLean has played only 45 minutes as a substitute for Norwich City since withdrawing from the last squad through injury.
In defence, Scott McKenna is likely to be absent after being ruled out for two weeks by Dinamo Zagreb. Jack Hendry, Stephen Welsh and Luke Graham are regular starters, with Graham pushing for a first Scotland start. Kieran Tierney is playing regularly again with Celtic, while Andy Robertson has started Tottenham Hotspur's three straight wins. Right-back remains a concern, with Colby Donovan the one regular starter as Aaron Hickey and Nathan Patterson are used mainly as substitutes.
In goal, Scott Bain's performance in Falkirk's first win over Celtic in 19 years was timely, while number one Angus Gunn was left on the bench for San Jose Earthquakes. Up front, Che Adams should be in line for a recall after two goals in four games for Torino, and Oli McBurnie has scored his first two goals of the season for Hull City. Kieron Bowie has not scored in five games since his goal against North Macedonia, while Robbie Ure and James Wilson have also had mixed recent fortunes.
Image: SNS / BBC Sport
