Scotland's central defence in focus as Pocognoli seeks first home win
Injuries have stripped Scotland of their starting back three for Friday's must-win match against North Macedonia, forcing Sebastien Pocognoli to turn to Ryan Porteous and David Bates alongside Jack Hendry and Luke Graham.
Scotland head coach Sebastien Pocognoli faces a depleted central defence for Friday's must-win match against North Macedonia, with the starting back three from the previous meeting in Skopje — Stephen Welsh, Scott McKenna and Luis Binks — all ruled out through injury. The absences have forced the Belgian to look deeper into his options at the heart of the defence.
Recalled to the squad are Ryan Porteous and David Bates, the latter returning to international football after seven years away. They join Jack Hendry, who recently received a red card, and Luke Graham, who has limited Scotland minutes. The combined caps of whoever partners Andy Robertson are unlikely to come close to the left-back's total as he wins his 102nd cap, equalling Kenny Dalglish's men's record.
Pocognoli defended Bates' inclusion, noting the defender is performing well in Turkey with Amedspor, who sit third in the Super Lig under manager Besnik Hasi. The head coach said he knows Hasi and the demands he places on players, adding that Bates' experience can help the squad during this camp.
Much of the focus is on Graham, the 22-year-old Stoke City defender who impressed on the left of a back three last season at Dundee and has continued in form in the Championship. Supporters in the Tartan Army were frustrated by the limited minutes he received in the previous window, when he came on after 88 minutes. Former England international Kevin Phillips has tipped him to start.
North Macedonia arrive having gone 12 games without a victory, failing to score in their last eight and losing their past five while conceding 14 goals. Pocognoli nonetheless described them as unlucky in a recent defeat to Switzerland, and knows a win is close to essential on matchday five.
The challenge for Pocognoli is to restore the defensive stability associated with predecessor Steve Clarke while adding the invention that was seen as lacking under him, as the head coach seeks his first home win in Glasgow.
Image: PA Media / BBC Sport
