POCOGNOLI RECALLS MCBURNIE IN FIRST SCOTLAND SQUAD

Sebastien Pocognoli has named his first Scotland squad after taking charge of the national team from Steve Clarke, recalling Hull City striker Oli McBurnie for the first time in five years. The 28-man squad includes seven uncapped players, five of whom have received their first-ever call-ups, as Pocognoli looks to introduce new talent ahead of the 2026/27 UEFA Nations League. McBurnie has been capped 16 times for Scotland but has never scored for his country, with his last appearance coming in 2021. Pocognoli has left out 11 players from the group that represented Scotland at the 2026 World Cup.

McBurnie previously played for Swansea City, Sheffield United and Las Palmas before joining Hull City. He scored 19 goals in all competitions for Hull last season as the club secured promotion from the Championship, and has continued to feature prominently as Hull began life back in the Premier League. Scotland were eliminated at the group stage of the 2026 World Cup, which was held in North America over the summer. Pocognoli's decision to omit 11 members of that World Cup squad reflects a broader shake-up of the panel under the new head coach.

Scotland are set to play Slovenia, Switzerland and North Macedonia in the Nations League under Pocognoli's leadership. The fixtures are scheduled to take place in September, October and November. The squad announcement marks Pocognoli's first opportunity to select his own group of players since succeeding Clarke. McBurnie's recall gives Scotland an experienced forward option as they begin this new Nations League campaign.