McBurnie returns as Scotland name bold new squad

Scotland’s new era has begun with a selection that immediately grabs attention. Oli McBurnie is back in the fold after five years away, and new head coach Sebastien Pocognoli has paired that recall with seven uncapped players in a squad designed to feel fresh, fearless and full of possibility.

Pocognoli makes his first big statement

The Belgian coach, who takes charge for the first time against Slovenia, has wasted little time in putting his stamp on the national team. His first squad for the Nations League brings together experience, promising youth and a handful of surprise names, suggesting a sharper focus on style and adaptability than Scotland have shown in recent cycles.

“It’s a new opportunity for some players, a really new beginning for the other ones,” Pocognoli said. “I have to start a new journey, start a new book.”

That message runs through the selection. Scotland are not just preparing for a competitive autumn schedule; they are effectively beginning a reset, with the manager insisting the squad must match the football he wants to produce on the pitch.

McBurnie gets his chance again

The most eye-catching inclusion is McBurnie, who last featured for Scotland in 2021. The Hull City striker has been out of favour for some time, but Pocognoli believes the 30-year-old fits the way he wants his side to play. McBurnie has 16 caps and remains a familiar figure to supporters, even if his return is likely to provoke debate.

He has never scored for Scotland, but he did hold his nerve in a memorable penalty shootout during the route to Euro 2020. That pedigree, plus his physical presence and work rate, appears to have convinced the new manager that he deserves another look.

As Pocognoli put it, “The door is never closed.” That line may end up defining the early months of his reign.

Seven uncapped players add fresh energy

Alongside McBurnie, seven players are in line for a first senior cap. Luis Binks, Colby Donovan, Jon McCracken, Josh McPake, Stephen Welsh, Luke Graham and Robbie Ure all receive the kind of call-up that can transform careers overnight.

There is logic behind each selection. Binks has experience in both England and Scotland age-group setups, while Donovan has impressed at Celtic. Graham has started strongly at Stoke after breaking through at Dundee, and Welsh has settled quickly into life at Swansea following a successful spell at Motherwell.

Ure is perhaps the most intriguing name of the group. The former Rangers academy forward scored 20 goals in 20 matches for Sirius in Sweden before his summer move to Sevilla, and Scotland moved quickly to secure him as interest grew elsewhere. Pocognoli described the timing as right, while also praising the forward’s form and potential.

Who stands out among the newcomers?

Donovan’s rise has been especially notable. The 20-year-old has been trusted at right-back by Celtic in recent months and has handled the spotlight with confidence. Pocognoli said the youngster had “played some good games” and shown he could cope with expectation.

Graham, meanwhile, arrives with momentum. His breakthrough campaign at Dundee earned him both players’ player and young player of the year honours before a summer move to Stoke. McPake and James Wilson also add attacking variety, with Hearts rewarded for a strong start to the season.

The selection reflects a clear principle: this is a squad built on merit. “We have a good mix between experienced players, new faces, first cap players, young lads, players who are back,” Pocognoli said. “We want to be ambitious in this Nations League.”

Selection balance and familiar absences

Not every big name is available. Scott McTominay misses out while recovering from a minor heart procedure, Che Adams is injured, and Lawrence Shankland is sidelined for several months with a hamstring problem. Craig Gordon has retired, Grant Hanley is still battling injury issues, and John Souttar has yet to play this season.

Even so, the squad still contains a strong spine. Angus Gunn, Liam Kelly, Jack Hendry, Aaron Hickey, Scott McKenna, Andy Robertson, Kieran Tierney, Ryan Christie, Lewis Ferguson, John McGinn and Billy Gilmour all remain involved, giving the new coach plenty of established quality around the emerging talent.

That combination may be crucial in the Nations League B campaign, which begins away to Slovenia on 26 September before a return match at Hampden three days later. Scotland also face North Macedonia and Switzerland in a run of fixtures that should quickly reveal how far Pocognoli’s ideas can travel.

What this squad says about Scotland’s direction

This is more than a list of names. It is a sign that Scotland are prepared to reimagine the national team picture, even if that means reopening the door for players who have been on the outskirts. It also shows a willingness to test young options in meaningful competitive matches rather than waiting for perfect conditions.

There is risk in that approach, but also reward. If Pocognoli gets it right, Scotland could emerge with a deeper pool of options and a more flexible identity. If he gets it wrong, the early noise around McBurnie and the uncapped group will only grow louder.

For now, the mood is clear: fresh faces, new ideas and a manager determined to build quickly. Scotland’s next chapter has started with plenty of talking points, and maybe just enough intrigue to keep everyone watching.

Squad snapshot: Four goalkeepers, 11 defenders, seven midfielders and six forwards have been selected, with 14 players from the summer World Cup group retained. That balance hints at continuity underneath the headline changes, even as the new head coach pushes a different tone.

Whether the bold calls pay off will be judged quickly, but Pocognoli has already made one thing obvious: this Scotland squad is being built with intent, not caution.