Time for Pocognoli to pick - will it be a new-look Scotland squad?

ByAmy Canavan

BBC Sport Scotland

A new Scotland dawn is on the horizon.

On Tuesday, Sebastien Pocognoli will name his first squad since being appointed the national team's head coach for the upcoming Nations League B fixtures.

His predecessor, Steve Clarke, prioritised consistency in his squad during his successful seven-year reign, which ultimately culminated in a first men's World Cup appearance in 28 years.

But his loyalty was often viewed - from supporters at least - as his biggest downfall, with regular calls for fresh faces often unanswered.

Now, if ever, feels the time for such hopes to be heard.

But, will the Belgian make sweeping changes from the experienced squad who returned from the United States earlier than planned? Or will continuity be key for matches against Slovenia, Switzerland and North Macedonia?

The Tartan Army will certainly be hoping for the former, and BBC Scotland takes a look at some uncapped and out-of-the-frame players who could be in line for a call-up.

A problem area for the latter years of Clarke's reign will remain a problem area in the early Pocognoli days.

Angus Gunn started between the sticks at the World Cup and, though he has found more regular football in the States since joining San Jose Earthquakes, he has conceded a rather alarming 21 goals in nine Major League Soccer games - though he did make four decent stops in San Jose's win on Thursday.

He was joined at the major tournament by Craig Gordon - who has since retired from football - and Liam Kelly, who has not featured since Derek McInnes took over at Rangers in the summer, suggesting there could be two goalkeeping spots up for grabs in this squad.

Scott Bain could have felt a little hard done by not making the trip across the pond in June, given he was playing regular Scottish Premiership football with Falkirk and picked up his fourth cap against Ivory Coast in April.

He's made a steady start to his season - recovering from an error against Celtic to pulling off a string of impressive saves against Dundee United - with his Bairns boss John McGlynn recently tipping him to start for Scotland later this month.

Liam McFarlane may not be challenging him for a starting berth, but the 21-year-old must be well-placed for a call-up as the third-choice shotstopper.

Since joining Partick Thistle in the summer on loan from Hearts - after being stateside as the training goalkeeper in Clarke's World Cup squad - he has conceded just one goal in five Championship games and is well thought of by both club and country.

Given the sticky situation the Scots have found themselves in this department in recent times, surely including the youngster sooner rather than later with a look to the future is a step in the right direction.

Continuing on that theme, there could be a bit of a changing of the guard in the rest of the rearguard too.

Grant Hanley, 34, limped off in Hibernian's recent defeat by St Johnstone and John Souttar, 29, has not been included in any matchday squad for Rangers this term - amid interest from abroad.

Following his mighty impressive season on-loan at Motherwell last year, ex-Celtic centre-half Stephen Welsh has taken to life in England's Championship with Swansea like a duck to water, reigniting calls for his inclusion in the squad.

A former under-21s captain, the 26-year-old recently got the better of a fellow potential new cap in Stoke City's Luke Graham.

The former Dundee defender made the switch to The Potters after being involved in the A-squad's training before the World Cup and on the bench for the Curacao friendly.

Strong in the air and left-footed, Graham appears a direct competitor for Scott McKenna - as does Luis Binks.

Perhaps a more unfamiliar name, the 25-year-old captains Danish Superliga side Brondby and previously represented the Scots at under-18 level before playing for England youth.

In a fascinating and revealing interview, external last month - where he encouraged young Scottish players to remain in their homeland rather than become "a number" in England - the former Spurs youth product - who calls Aaron Hickey a pal from their Bologna days - spoke of his desire for a Scotland call-up, despite never having had that conversation with Clarke.

Since that article dropped in August, the clamour online for his inclusion has rocketed and it very much appears the ball is in Scotland - and Pocognoli's - court.

There has also been a fair bit of discourse surrounding Colby Donovan, who has been flung into Celtic's starting side in Alistair Johnston's absence - notably in front of World Cup squad member, Anthony Ralston.

It appears a matter of when, not if, the 20-year-old right-back will make the first team but he has stiff competition with fellow youngsters Hickey, Nathan Patterson and Max Johnston.

One could even throw in left-back Josh Doig to that pile too. The Sassuolo defender is another in line for a recall.

Returning from the knee injury he sustained on the eve of the Scots' flight to Florida, Billy Gilmour will almost certainly be included in Pocognoli's squad.

The midfielder lasted the duration of Napoli's opening Champions League match in the defeat by Arsenal last week, after coming off the bench against Inter Milan in Serie A days before.

His presence was missed stateside but hopes will be high for Gilmour to be at the heart of his country's next chapter.

Many thought Lennon Miller would take his seat on the plane, but Tyler Fletcher timed his run perfectly for that.

Things have not quite yet gone to plan for the 20-year-old at Udinese, as he struggles to break into the Serie A side's starting XI but with Scott McTominay recovering from heart surgery, the former Motherwell man might be given the chance to add to his four caps.

Hibernian's Josh Mulligan might also be in with a shout, despite his side's sticky start to the season.

Involved in the international set-up last year, the 23-year-old is yet to be capped but did impress in the Edinburgh derby Pocognoli attended earlier this month and has been one of the brightest and most consistent performers for David Gray's struggling Hibs side.

Speaking of struggles, Scotland still seem to lack that genuine, top class, goalscoring striker.

Che Adams appears to be a shoo-in - not least because he has two goals in three Serie A games for Torino - but who else joins him is a little less certain.

Rangers captain Lawrence Shankland is out injured, and at 30-years-old, Pocognoli now may feel the time to rely on Millwall's Lyndon Dykes is nearing an end.

Throughout the calendar year, there has been a real will-they, won't-they dance with Scotland and Oli McBurnie.

It appeared fairly clear under Clarke - who was unimpressed a private conversation between the pair was shared - that the Hull City striker would not be returning to his squad for the first time since 2021, but the Belgian may be willing to offer a clean slate.

Though he has not yet scored this season for the Tigers - who sit third in the Premier League - the towering and tough 30-year-old is their star striker and put in a tremendous performance as they mauled Manchester United, before setting up the second in their 2-2 draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

While Scotland didn't spend nearly as much of their summer in the States as hoped, one Scotman's name certainly dominated the discourse during July and August: Robbie Ure.

The Rangers academy product was in demand across Europe after a free-scoring spell with Sirius in Sweden - 20 goals and three assists in 20 matches - and it resulted in a £5.5m move to La Liga giants Sevilla.

The 22-year-old has yet to put on his shooting boots in Spain but, given his eligibility for Ukraine, Pocognoli might be tempted to tie him down as soon as possible.

Also on the move in the summer was Kieron Bowie.

After his Hellas Verona side were relegated from Italy's top tier, he teamed up with Doig at Sassuolo and impressed, even before he opened his account in the dramatic victory over Juventus on Sunday - sparking wild scenes as he netted his second career goal against the Old Lady.

His attributes are clear. A strong, physical forward with a powerful left foot, he will be hopeful of adding to his two caps.

From on the continent to closer to home, there is a strong case Hearts head coach Wouter Vrancken’s preferred front three make this squad.

Leading the line is already-capped James Wilson, who appears a player reinvigorated following his loan spell with Tottenham Hotspur youths last season.

Another goal against Hibs - in front of the Belgian - ought to have done wonders for the teenager, who has started the season like a buoyant boy with something to prove.

He has been helped in no small part, though, by wide men Calvin Miller and Josh McPake.

The latter‘s goal at Easter Road sparked wild scenes in the away end as he announced himself as a serious contender for a call-up - if his performances in the Championship last year with title-winning St Johnstone were not convincing enough.

Another star who took his second-tier form into the top flight is Miller, who has - like McPake - immersed himself in the free-flowing football Pocognoli’s countryman Vrancken likes to play.

The clamour for the trio’s call-up is captivating, whether the new Scotland head coach pays attention to it, is another matter.

A big auld pool for Pocognoli to ponder from.