Pocognoli focus on Scotland tidy-up as Euros loom

Pocognoli insists Scotland need refinement rather than overhaul after losing to Slovenia, with McTominay, Adams and Tierney recalled for Nations League matches this month.

Scotland head coach Sebastien Pocognoli has rejected calls for radical change despite his side's 3-0 home defeat to Slovenia, a result that came after earlier wins against North Macedonia and a draw in Slovenia. Captain Andy Robertson said the team were "outfought" and "not good enough" in the second half, but Pocognoli believes the camp produced positive moments worth building on.

Heading into a double-header against North Macedonia and Switzerland this month to conclude the Nations League campaign, Pocognoli has recalled Scott McTominay, Che Adams and Kieran Tierney, while Rangers' James Penrice earned a first call-up. The head coach said the focus is on "continuity" and "cleaning up" rather than wholesale changes, emphasizing the need to balance experimentation with results.

Scotland sit third in Nations League Group B1 and need at least four points to have a chance of finishing second and reaching the promotion play-offs. Beyond that lies Euro 2028 qualification, with the draw taking place in Belfast on 6 December and group fixtures starting in March 2025. Scotland will co-host the tournament with England, Wales and the Republic of Ireland.