Scotland vs Slovenia: How would you line up the new national team?

By Oliver Grant On Sep 25, 2026 13

Image source, Getty Images

Published25 September 2026, 08:04 BST

Nations League: Slovenia v Scotland

Stadion Stozice, Ljubljana

Saturday 26 September, 14:00 BST

Watch on iPlayerListen on Sounds

It is a new era for the Scotland men’s side as head coach Sebastien Pocognoli takes charge of his first game on Saturday against Slovenia, live on the BBC.

The Belgian included eight uncapped players in his first squad before releasing Findlay Curtis and James Wilson to the under-21s, which means the line-up and approach to the Nations League match in Ljubljana is unpredictable.

However, you can try your best to assess what the new Scotland boss might do with our team selector below, while we have also picked out some key issues for Pocognoli to wrestle with.

Who starts in back three?

When manager of Union Saint-Gilloise and Monaco, Pocognoli generally favoured a 3-4-2-1 formation and its variations.

That means Scotland are likely to line up with three centre-backs on Saturday afternoon, with five named in the squad.

Jack Hendry and Scott McKenna are the experienced survivors from Steve Clarke’s World Cup group and, given Pocognoli said he is keen to strike a balance between new and old faces “to keep the cohesion in the team”, they both appear likely starters.

Especially given they have the physical profile to play the aggressive style the head coach wants.

That would leave Swansea City’s Stephen Welsh, Stoke City’s Luke Graham and Brondby captain Luis Binks to fight it out for the final spot.

Welsh is the only right-footed one of the three, which might give him the edge if McKenna were to play on the left and Hendry in the middle.

However, Graham has been playing on the left of a back three for Stoke, which could allow McKenna to sit in the middle and shift Hendry to the right.

It all depends what balance Scotland are looking for.

Is there room for wingers?

With captain Andy Robertson a certainty to win his 98th cap at left wing-back, and Aaron Hickey surely in prime position to start on the other side, where does that leave Scotland’s wide attacking options?

Ben Gannon-Doak was so key for Scotland under Clarke due to his speed and ability to beat players. Josh McPake has shown a similar ability for Hearts on the same side.

However, with Pocognoli often deploying two narrow attackers either side of a centre forward and using the wing-backs for width, could Scotland’s wingers be squeezed out?

One of those forward places would surely be reserved for John McGinn, given his goal threat for Scotland, running power and experience of occupying a similar role on the left. He also offers more off the ball.

Ryan Christie might be another candidate for one of those roles, assuming Scotland only play two holding midfielders from their deep pool – Lewis Ferguson and Billy Gilmour. The Bournemouth midfielder is also relentless out of possession.

Could Gannon-Doak or McPake play further in the pitch closer to a striker? And do they have the defensive instincts to play more centrally when Scotland don’t have the ball?

Gannon-Doak was named as a forward in the squad, while McPake, interestingly, was named as a midfielder. Who knows if that means anything, but it will be fascinating to see what Pocognoli thinks.

Pocognoli has ‘positive nervousness’ for Scotland debut
- Published2 days ago
From leaving Rangers to La Liga – Scotland is next step for Ure
- Published2 days ago
Well-travelled Binks eager to make mark for Scotland
- Published3 days ago

Will McBurnie lead line?

Kieron Bowie, Robbie Ure and Oli McBurnie are the striker options in the squad and all three are in good form and confident.

Ure and McBurnie are yet to score for their clubs this term, but the former just got a morale-boosting move to Sevilla after his exploits in Sweden and faced Barcelona only a week ago.

The latter is playing well for Hull City in the Premier League and grabbed 19 goals in their promotion charge last term.

McBurnie is the oldest and comfortably the most experienced of the options in the squad but has never impressed in his 16 previous caps.

Now, it’s a clean slate and he says he has a point to prove after a few years in the international wilderness.

It would be the ultimate vote of confidence from Pocognoli if he were to start McBurnie in the face of a few Tartan Army grumbles.

Pick your Scotland XI

The Team Selector cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable JavaScript or try another browser.

Pick your Scotland XI

Pick your Scotland XI.Selected formation: 4-3-3, Change formationChoose goalkeeperChoose right backChoose right centre backChoose left centre backChoose left backChoose right centre midfieldChoose centre midfieldChoose left centre midfieldChoose right wingChoose strikeChoose left wing