Pocognoli under pressure as Scotland host North Macedonia at Hampden
Scotland head coach Sebastien Pocognoli seeks his first home win after two Hampden defeats, with key players back and goalkeeper decisions looming against North Macedonia.
Sebastien Pocognoli faces a third attempt to deliver a home win as Scotland head coach when North Macedonia visit Hampden on Friday. His first two home matches both ended in defeat, with Scotland conceding five goals and scoring one. The loss to Switzerland was excused by Jack Hendry's early red card, but the defeat by Slovenia carried no such mitigation, and captain Andy Robertson said his side had been out-played and out-fought.
Pocognoli has accepted the criticism, saying it comes with the job and that the focus is on rebounding. He said Scotland were neither intense nor aggressive against Slovenia and described that as non-negotiable for him, adding that the team did not deserve more from the game. He also suggested he might have rotated more in that match.
Scotland beat North Macedonia 2-0 in Skopje earlier in his tenure while missing Scott McTominay, Kieran Tierney and Che Adams. All three are available now, and McTominay returns after heart issues and a cardiac ablation operation in September, having scored five goals in his past six games for Napoli. Pocognoli called his return a massive impact, citing his experience and leadership in a young squad.
The coach says he has no fixed system, though he appears set to keep a back three for North Macedonia. He argued the shape suits the team's best qualities and acknowledged it demands high energy. Other selection questions include goalkeeper, where Scott Bain's shot-stopping form has made him a contender to replace Angus Gunn after costly errors, and centre-back Luke Graham, who is thriving at Stoke City.
Pocognoli also pointed to improved club form among his squad: Aaron Hickey has played more, Ben Gannon-Doak has gained minutes and confidence at Bournemouth, and Ryan Christie has started regularly during an eight-game winning run with his club. He said the camp's message is continuity and improvement, with players asked to show they want to produce something special for the Euros campaign.
Supporters will judge the result rather than the explanation. After two flat home displays, the expectation is an emphatic win against a North Macedonia side the article describes as having lost four out of four without scoring, conceding 10. Anything less would leave Pocognoli's home record and credibility under further scrutiny.
Image: SNS / BBC Sport
