Scotland manager Sebastien Pocognoli has told players omitted from his initial national squad that the door remains open for future international selection ahead of their opening UEFA Nations League fixture against Slovenia on Saturday.
The new head coach took his squad to Spain to prepare for an extended international break featuring four fixtures. The Scots face Slovenia twice alongside matches against Switzerland and North Macedonia as they attempt to secure promotion out of League B.
Pocognoli initially named a 28-man squad for the quadruple-header, but injuries quickly disrupted his original plans. Defender Kieran Tierney and midfielder Kenny McLean were both forced to withdraw from the group, leading to roster changes early in the camp.
The UEFA Nations League is a biennial international tournament organized by UEFA for European national teams, featuring promotion and relegation across four tiered leagues. League B serves as the second tier of the competition structure. Tierney plays for English Premier League club Arsenal, while McLean plays for Norwich City in the English Football League Championship.
Squad selection and squad changes
Blackburn Rovers player Kristi Montgomery received a promotion from the Scotland Under-21 squad on Monday to join the senior side as a replacement following the injury withdrawals.
Blackburn Rovers are a historic English club based in Lancashire, competing in the EFL Championship. While players such as Hearts player Calvin Miller and Rangers player James Penrice were not included in this selection, Pocognoli insisted that no player should regard his first squad as definitive.
Pocognoli stated that there are many players who deserve to be in the team, explaining that this first selection will evolve over time as part of football. He noted that losing two players to injury was unfortunate, expressing hope that such withdrawals occur as infrequently as possible.
Addressing players who missed out, Pocognoli explained that the coaching staff monitor every eligible player, noting that selection often depends on timing and momentum. He stressed that giving up is the worst reaction, asserting that players who perform well for their clubs will receive opportunities and that those in the current camp must work to maintain their places for November.
Spain training camp preparations
The Scottish squad put in work at the La Manga complex in Spain, where warm temperatures added a physical challenge to their tactical preparation.
The La Manga Club is a renowned sports resort located in the region of Murcia in southeastern Spain. The facility is frequently used by international teams and major European football clubs for warm-weather training camps and pre-tournament preparations.
Impressed by the application and commitment shown by the players in hot conditions, Pocognoli and his coaching staff decided to shorten a training session by skipping the final block. Pocognoli explained that it was important to finish the workout with a positive feeling after the players performed well.
The team management planned to conduct open games in subsequent sessions to evaluate mistakes and highlight positive moments, with the objective of reducing errors before taking on Slovenia on Saturday.
