Scotland football’s ramped-up second-half performance offered some cause for optimism as Sebastien Pocognoli’s tenure as head coach began with a goalless draw with Slovenia in Ljubljana.
The 39-year-old Belgian head coach, appointed in August as Steve Clarke’s successor, refreshed the side for the Nations League Group B1 opener in the Stozice Stadium, but they were fortunate on a couple of occasions at least not to fall behind before rallying before the break.
Scotland had been insipid and uninspiring for most of the first half but after the interval they played with pace and purpose as Slovenia captain and goalkeeper Jan Oblak became a key figure, with Oli McBurnie and Kieron Bowie both squandering good chances.
However, the goal that would have made the former Union Saint-Gilloise and Monaco manager’s debut as an international boss more memorable ultimately failed to arrive.
Follow all the action from Pocognoli’s first game with our live blog below:
Read MoreScotland’s new era is a genuinely bold step into the unknown
Slovenia v Scotland - live updates
- Scotland draw 0-0 with Slovenia in Sebastien Pocognoli's first game in charge
- 39-year-old Belgian Pocognoli was a surprise replacement for Steve Clarke after Scotland's World Cup exit
- 77' - MISS! Bowie's shot somehow goes wide of Oblak's post [SVN 0-0 SCO]
- 52' - MISS! McBurnie misses a golden chance as Oblak makes the sprawling save [SVN 0-0 SCO]
- 45' - POST! Debutant Ure sees his shot clip the outside of the post [SVN 0-0 SCO]
- 33' - CROSSBAR! Drkusic's header clatters the bar [SVN 0-0 SCO]
McBurnie admits 'I should have scored'
16:11 , Luke BakerOli McBurnie chats to the BBC after that draw and acknowledged that he should have scored with one of his chances.
McBurnie said: “It took us a bit of getting used to in the first half, the way the gaffer wants to play.
“We created enough chances to win the game. I should have scored.
“I was asked to play a different position and I enjoyed it. I’d rather be getting in the positions than not getting chances.
“Second half was a lot more of what the manager wanted from us. It was waves of pressure and the only thing missing was a goal or two.”
Sebastien Pocognoli begins with a draw
16:02 , Luke BakerSebastien Pocognoli is going to be a pretty animated figure on the sidelines it seems. He gets a point in his first game as Scotland boss
FULL-TIME Slovenia 0-0 Scotland
15:55 , Luke BakerAnd it’s all over. It ends 0-0, so Sebastien Pocognoli’s first game sees him take a point away from home but Scotland probably should have won it in the second half. Oli McBurnie and Kieron Bowie both missed golden chances.
On the flip side, they were rubbish in the first half and didn’t truly test Jan Oblak enough, so perhaps a draw wasn’t the end of the world overall
Slovenia 0-0 Scotland, 90+2 mins
15:52 , Luke BakerSturm thinks he should have a corner as Welsh blocks his cross but the ball was determined to have already crossed the line before he hooked it across, so it’s a goal-kick.
Scotland then try to mount one final attack but Hendry’s ball into the box is straight at Oblak. This is going to end 0-0
Slovenia 0-0 Scotland, 90 mins
15:51 , Luke BakerJust two minutes of added time. Hmmm...
Slovenia won’t mind that, while Scotland probably would’ve preferred a little longer to grab a winner. Can they fashion one last chance?
Slovenia 0-0 Scotland, 89 mins
15:50 , Luke BakerThe pitch is an absolute mess now, by the way. Just covered in divots where it has cut up. McGinn lofts a free-kick into the box but Oblak is off his line well to claim confidently.
We’re lurching towards injury time here.
Slovenia 0-0 Scotland, 87 mins
15:47 , Luke BakerGannon-Doak links up well with McGinn, cuts back on to his left foot and lifts a cross to the back post but it doesn’t quite fall for Scotland.
Can they find a way to force a dramatic late winner?
WATCH: Scotland miss key chances
15:45 , Luke BakerOne of these had to go in didn’t they? McBurnie and Bowie both miss good chances in the second half
Oli McBurnie spurns a chance for Scotland.
It remains goalless between Slovenia and Scotland.
📺 Watch on BBC One pic.twitter.com/sldzhNCGGb
Another big chance for Scotland. This time Sassuolo's Kieron Bowie goes close.
— BBC Sport Scotland (@BBCSportScot) September 26, 2026
Slovenia 0-0 Scotland - watch the closing stages on BBC One. pic.twitter.com/xMe5gRNgEr
Slovenia 0-0 Scotland, 82 mins
15:44 , Luke BakerSlovenia haven’t got out of their half for about 30 minutes it feels like. Robertson whips in another cross, Oblak tries to punch clear but the connection isn’t great. However, Slovenia scramble clear.
Scotland would be good value for a winner if they can find one. It’s now 15 shots to 3 in this match in favour of the Scots...
Slovenia 0-0 Scotland, 78 mins
15:39 , Luke BakerAnother sub for Pocognoli as Ben Gannon-Doak enters the fray in place of Hickey.
MISS! Slovenia 0-0 Scotland, 77 mins
15:38 , Luke BakerI thought the net was going to bulge there! Gilmour with a stunning pass through to Bowie.
He shoots from about 12 yards out, beats Oblak but the ball bobbles wide of the far post. How has that not gone in? He has to score, surely?
SAVE! Slovenia 0-0 Scotland, 73 mins
15:34 , Luke BakerScotland absolutely dominant now! Glorious pass over the top from debutant Welsh that finds Bowie. The sub gets his shot away from the left of the box but Oblak makes himself big and blocks behind for the corner.
Form the corner, McBurnie flicks his header at goal from close-range and Oblak makes a superb reaction save, although it was straight action. A whistle then goes for a foul.
Vipotnik and Balkovic are on for Slovenia by the way. Vipotnik scored a ton of goals in the Championship for Swansea last season
Slovenia 0-0 Scotland, 70 mins
15:31 , Luke BakerSassuolo striker Kieron Bowie is on for Scotland, replacing Robbie Ure. A decent debut for the Sevilla man.
Bowie immediately gets a shot away but it’s straight at Oblak. He kicks the pitch, which is bobbly and making good play hard, in frustration.
CLOSE! Slovenia 0-0 Scotland, 69 mins
15:29 , Luke BakerScotland corner. McGinn stands over it and whips in a delicious cross. Hickey flicks a header towards the back post but it flashes just wide!
Good effort. Did all he could there.
Slovenia 0-0 Scotland, 66 mins
15:27 , Luke BakerScotland by far the better side in this second half. Another ball over the top, just beyond the stretching McBurnie.
Can they find a winner though? That would be massive. Pocognoli yet to turn to his bench as well, of course
Slovenia 0-0 Scotland, 62 mins
15:24 , Luke BakerGilmour strides forward, a great driving run and slips Ure in on the right. He shots but a sliding block from a Slovenian defender means it’s only a corner.
Double sub for Slovenia with Drkusic and Elsnik off as Zec and Zabukovnik are on.
SAVE! Slovenia 0-0 Scotland, 59 mins
15:20 , Luke BakerMuch, much better from the Scots. It’s lovely link-up play between McBurnie and Gilmour, nice flicks from both and the latter bursts into the box, tries to sidefoot the ball into the far corner and Oblak is down well to save.
Slovenia 0-0 Scotland, 58 mins
15:19 , Luke BakerThis second half has been livelier from Scotland. Robertson gets to the by-line and whips a cross in that Sporar does well to scramble clear.
Slovenia 0-0 Scotland, 56 mins
15:18 , Luke BakerSporar throws himself at a header inside the Scotland box but only gets the slightest touch and it’s easy for Gunn.
McGinn then wins a free-kick of Gnezda Cerin with more good play and Oblak flaps a bit at the ball in, coming miles off his line, but Slovenia head the ball clear
MISS! Slovenia 0-0 Scotland, 52 mins
15:13 , Luke BakerMcGinn backs in with his substantial rump and wins the free-kick well, much to the chagrin of the Slovenian defender.
And then a golden chance for Scotland! McBurnie nips in ahead of a defender, rides a challenge and he’s through towards goal. He tries to take the ball round Oblak but the Slovenian goalkeeper makes himself big and smothers it.
Could McBurnie just flick the ball between Oblak’s legs for the goal? That sort of frustration probably sums up McBurnie’s Scotland career really.
Slovenia 0-0 Scotland, 49 mins
15:09 , Luke BakerGood pressing early in the half again from Scotland. Robertson wins them an attacking throw. Slovenia eventually clear their lines though
KICK-OFF! Slovenia 0-0 Scotland
15:07 , Luke BakerBack underway in Ljubljana. Can Scotland find a goal in this second half?
WATCH: Robbie Ure hits the post
15:00 , Luke BakerHere’s Scotland’s best moment from that first half, right at the death.
Debutant Robbie Ure saw his shot strike the outside of the post. Something for Sebastien Pocognoli’s side to build on in the second period?
Scotland's best chance of the game so far 😯
— BBC Sport Scotland (@BBCSportScot) September 26, 2026
Sevilla striker and debutant Robbie Ure strikes the post just before half-time.
However, it remains goalless at the break.
📺 Watch Slovenia v Scotland on BBC One 🇸🇮 🏴 pic.twitter.com/fm1wH2fOej
HALF-TIME! Slovenia 0-0 Scotland
14:51 , Luke BakerAnd that’s half-time. Slovenia were the better team, by far, for about 43 minutes of that half but Scotland finished strongly and struck the post on the stroke of half-time.
Largely uninspired from the Scots but something to build on right at the end for Sebastien Pocognoli. A change of system or personnel at half-time? We’ll see.
POST! Slovenia 0-0 Scotland, 45 mins
14:50 , Luke BakerScotland are suddenly fizzing! A clever ball out wide to the right where Ure picks it up.
He cuts inside nicely and strikes at goal from 20-odd yards. Oblak dives to his right but doesn’t get there as the ball clips the outside of the post and goes wide. Would the Slovenian keeper have had it covered? Maybe but the best moment for the Scots by far.
Slovenia 0-0 Scotland, 43 mins
14:47 , Luke BakerBest Scotland move of the match! Class from John McGinn as he wins the ball in mdifield, holds off a couple of defenders and clips a lovely ball out to Ure on the right.
Dangerous ball into the box, McBurnie tries a shot on the swivel, it then falls to Hickey who lashes it at goal but it’s well blocked by a lunging Slovenian defender.
Better from Scotland.
Slovenia 0-0 Scotland, 41 mins
14:45 , Luke BakerOne touch for Scotland in the Slovenia box so far. It’s not been great...
Slovenia come forward again but Robertson heads clear a cross from the left.
Slovenia 0-0 Scotland, 38 mins
14:42 , Luke BakerThe pitch is starting to cut up a bit here - it doesn’t look in great condition. I’m not sure that’s an excuse for Gilmour’s pass to Robertson being overhit and going out for a goal-kick though...
Slovenia 0-0 Scotland, 36 mins
14:41 , Luke BakerAndy Robertson isn’t happy here. He gets pinged for a foul that looks a bit harsh and then there’s a tangle off the ball and he gets booked for his trouble.
He protests his innocence to the referee, who I’m not entirely sure saw the incident but the yellow card stands
CROSSBAR! Slovenia 0-0 Scotland, 33 mins
14:37 , Luke BakerMatko into the box on the right and lashes a shot at goal but it’s not great and goes wide. He should probably do better.
Slovenia win a fifth corner, I think, already today shortly after. The delivery is much better and Drkusic rises highest but his header clatters off the bar! Couldn’t quite direct it on target.
Plenty of food for thought for Pocognoli here.
Slovenia 0-0 Scotland, 29 mins
14:32 , Luke BakerA third Slovenia corner of the match, with Scotland yet to have one, but that’s wasted. They go short and Gnezda Cerin changes the angle but his cross bounces harmlessly through for a goal-kick.
Slovenia 0-0 Scotland, 27 mins
14:31 , Luke BakerNice pressing by Scotland to force their hosts into a tight spot and they force them into a defensive throw-in but it’s well cleared.
Slovenia then counter and Hendry’s back-pass is errant - out for a corner.
Slovenia 0-0 Scotland, 23 mins
14:26 , Luke BakerScotland yet to fashion a chance in this match. Robertson receives the ball in attacking position for the first time but the attack quickly breaks down. A few passes but no end product
Slovenia 0-0 Scotland, 19 mins
14:23 , Luke BakerScotland finally get a bit of possession, although it’s all in their own half before McGinn wins a foul near-ish halfway. Having the ball for a bit, even if not in a particularly dangerous position, might do the Scots some good.
Slovenia 0-0 Scotland, 16 mins
14:20 , Luke BakerAll Slovenia so far and they win another corner. Sturm and Sporar both looking very lively in attack.
Ure again does his defensive duty well to head clear, although it wasn’t a great corner, in truth.
CLOSE! Slovenia 0-0 Scotland, 14 mins
14:18 , Luke BakerSlovenia probably should score. Scotland playing a high line but Sturm gets in behind down the left.
He puts a nice low cross in, Sorar gets ahead of his man six yards out but his flick flies wide of the far post. He really has to do better but Scotland survive, for now.
Slovenia 0-0 Scotland, 12 mins
14:16 , Luke BakerAnotehr warning for Pocognoli’s men as Matko is in plenty of space down the right and fizzes a low cross into the six-yard box that Hendry does brilliantly to lunge and clear away. Sturm was waiting to turn that in
Slovenia 0-0 Scotland, 10 mins
14:14 , Luke BakerI’d say that McBurnie is more out on the left than directly up front alongside Ure and McGinn shaded out to the right, so perhaps it is more of a 3-4-3 than the 3-4-1-2 that it appeared.
NO GOAL! Slovenia 0-0 Scotland, 8 mins
14:12 , Luke BakerWell that’s a huge let-off for Scotland! Slovenia slice them apart as Sturm gets away in space down the right, cuts the ball back to Sporar and it’s a beautiful first-time finish, in off the post.
But the flag’s up! Sturm was indeed offside as he broke clear initially.
Slovenia 0-0 Scotland, 5 mins
14:10 , Luke BakerSlovenia have started brightly here but Angus Gunn has confidently claimed a couple of balls in the air.
Scott McKenna then gives the ball away but Welsh gets his body across Matko and wins the free-kick.
Sebastien Pocognoli watching intently
Slovenia 0-0 Scotland, 3 mins
14:06 , Luke BakerThe other debutant also gets an early touch, Robbie Ure defending the free-kick and clearing into touch.
Slovenia 0-0 Scotland, 2 mins
14:05 , Luke BakerScotland in their away red kits today. It’s a nice look. Slovenia in white.
Jack Hendry wipes out Sturm with an early lunge, giving the hosts a free-kick about 35 yards out. Lifted into the box and debutant Stephen Welsh nods it behind for a corner to be safe.
KICK-OFF! Slovenia 0-0 Scotland
14:03 , Luke BakerA couple of minutes late but we’re underway in Ljubljana! The Sebastien Pocognoli era has begun!
Scotland team news
14:00 , Luke BakerThe teams are trotting out on to the pitch in Ljubljana, so there’s just time to remind you how Scotland line up for their first game under Sebastien Pocognoli.
There are two debuts as Swansea center-back Stephen Welsh starts in a back three, while Sevilla’s Robbie Ure is up front, in a two alongside Oli McBurnie, who makes his first Scotland appearance since 2021.
We thought it might be McBurnie OR Ure, so it’s exciting that both start.
Aaron Hickey and Andy Robertson are the wing-backs in what appears to be a 3-4-1-2 formation, with John McGinn in the 10 role you’d think.
Scotland XI: Gunn; Welsh, Hendry, McKenna; Hickey, Ferguson, Gilmour, Robertson; McGinn; Ure, McBurnie
No Sesko for Slovenia
13:57 , Luke BakerAs for this afternoon’s opponents Slovenia will be without Man United striker Benjamin Sesko through injury but the experienced Andraz Sporar of Slovan Bratislava (who has scored 13 goals in 68 internationals) starts, being preferred to Swansea City's Zan Vipotnik in attack.
Slovenia legend Jan Oblak also starts in goal and captains the side. It feels like he’s been around forever, and he’s made more than 500 appearances for Atletico Madrid, but he’s still ‘only’ 33 years old. Not a bad final line of defence to have
Lewis Ferguson demands results
13:49 , Luke BakerLewis Ferguson has been speaking ahead of this afternoon’s clash and says that while Scotland may not be perfect right away, the side will still be demanding results
'We're not going to be perfect right away but we still demand results'
— BBC Sport Scotland (@BBCSportScot) September 26, 2026
Scotland's Lewis Ferguson as the team begins a new era under Sebastien Pocognoli 🏴#BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/42WCJh66gc
Stunning weather in Ljubljana
13:44 , Luke BakerA lovely day for football in Slovenia and the Scotland players enjoyed their wander around the stadium earlier
What is Sebastien Pocognoli's Scotland vision?
13:35 , Luke BakerWhen he took the job earlier this summer, Sebastien Pocognoli laid out his vision for Scotland. Here’s what he had to say:
“I want to keep a strong foundation that was built in the past. When you think about Scotland, it’s passionate players who fight together, who defend together, who want to help their team-mates. That was the DNA from the team in recent years.
"What I will try to do, and we have the capacity to do this, is to maybe defend from the front, be a little bit more aggressive going forward and try to have a good football moment on the pitch.
“I’m quite direct in terms of football and try to be aggressive and try to dominate. I think all the coaches in modern football try to do this and say that, but the reality is that you have to do it. If you watch my two previous teams, you can see a relation between what I say and what I hope I can produce in a very short period of time.”
Scotland squad checking out the stadium
13:24 , Luke BakerI wonder what they make of Stadion Stozice. Seems nice enough to be honest
The squad’s here 🏟️#SVNSCO pic.twitter.com/IUiWhTHUT4
— Scotland National Team (@ScotlandNT) September 26, 2026
Scotland's previous meetings with Slovenia
13:15 , Luke BakerGood omens for Scotland today? They’ve never lost to Slovenia - winning two and drawing three of the five previous meetings
They first met in World Cup qualifying in 2004 and after a dull goalless draw in Glasgow, Scotland won 3-0 in Ljubljana the following year as Darren Fletcher, James McFadden and Paul Hartley were all on target.
Christophe Berra scored in a 1-1 draw in a 2012 friendly, before the nations squared off twice more in qualifying for the 2018 World Cup.
Substitute Chris Martin scored a late winner in the 2017 match at Hampden but Scotland fell agonisingly short of a play-off berth a month later after a 2-2 draw in Ljubljana in Gordon Strachan’s final match in charge of the Tartan Army.
Wirtz, Ronaldo, Alexander-Arnold: Which players have a point to prove during the international break?
13:06 , Luke BakerA new cycle for international football begins with the Nations League over the next three weeks as many teams enter a new era under fresh leadership.
Jurgen Klopp’s comeback is the leading story of the international break as he returns to the dugout for the first time in two years, hoping to rebuild Germany after their calamitous World Cup exit to Paraguay in the last-32.
Klopp’s maiden outing will be against Germany’s storied rivals the Netherlands, who themselves have a new figure at the helm in the form of Barcelona legend Xavi. Scotland are another nation starting fresh with Belgian coach Sebastien Pocognoli succeeding Steve Clarke, while Roberto Mancini begins his second stint as Italy manager hoping to emulate the glory of his first.
But all eyes will not be on the technical area, with a plethora of players having a point to prove in a post-World Cup landscape, whether they played in North America this summer or not.
Here are 10 players to watch during the international break:
10 players with a point to prove during the international break
Scotland team news
13:00 , Luke BakerSome further analysis of that Scotland line up.
Angus Gunn takes his place as Sebastien Pocognoli’s No 1, while Brondby centre-back Luis Binks will have to wait for his debut as Jack Hendry is preferred in the back three. We expected Stephen Welsh to debut and Scott McKenna to be in there.
Bologna’s Lewis Ferguson and Napoli’s Billy Gilmour will presumably form an all-Serie A double pivot in midfield as John McGinn roams further forwards, with Aaron Hickey and Andy Robertson (who remains as skipper) providing the width.
Oli McBurnie and Robbie Ure will then form a fascinating striker duo. There are plenty of options on the bench for Pocognoli to turn to if required.
Scotland XI: Gunn; Welsh, Hendry, McKenna; Hickey, Ferguson, Gilmour, Robertson; McGinn; Ure, McBurnie
Scotland team news
12:52 , Luke BakerOk, the team is in - we now know how Scotland will line up for Sebastien Pocognoli’s first fixture.
There are debuts for Swansea defender Stephen Welsh and Sevilla striker Robbie Ure, while Hull City striker Oli McBurnie will make his first appearance since 2021 as he lines up alongside Ure up top.
Pocognoli appears to be playing a back three, with Welsh alongside Jack Hendry and Scott McKenna as Aaron Hickey and captain Andy Robertson being the wing-backs.
Bring it on!
Scotland XI: Gunn; Welsh, Hendry, McKenna; Hickey, Ferguson, Gilmour, Robertson; McGinn; Ure, McBurnie
Sébastien Pocognoli’s first Scotland starting XI 🏴#SVNSCO pic.twitter.com/JC6RGOq1QJ
— Scotland National Team (@ScotlandNT) September 26, 2026
Team news imminent
12:44 , Luke BakerNot long now until we find out how Scotland will line up in the first game under Pocognoli. It should be fascinating.
Will Oli McBurnie and Robbie Ure be thrust straight into the starting XI up top?
A three at the back including debutants Stephen Welsh and Luis Binks? We shall see
Pocognoli's first Scotland squad
12:36 , Luke BakerSpeaking of the changing nature of Scotland squads - here is a reminder of the first group named by Sebastien Pocognoli, including six new faces.
Those are Swansea defender Stephen Welsh, Celtic right-back Colby Donovan, Brondby defender Luis Binks, Stoke centre-back Luke Graham, Hearts winger Josh McPake and Sevilla striker Robbie Ure. Meanwhile, Hull striker Oli McBurnie could make a first appearance since 2021.
Goalkeepers: Scott Bain (Falkirk), Angus Gunn (San Jose Earthquakes), Liam Kelly (Rangers), Jon McCracken (Bradford City)
Defenders: Luis Binks (Brondby), Josh Doig (Sassuolo), Colby Donovan (Celtic), Luke Graham (Stoke City), Jack Hendry (Al-Ettifaq), Aaron Hickey (Brentford), Scott McKenna (Dinamo Zagreb), Nathan Patterson (Torino), Andy Robertson (Tottenham), Stephen Welsh (Swansea City)
Midfielders: Ryan Christie (Bournemouth), Lewis Ferguson (Bologna), Billy Gilmour (Napoli), John McGinn (Aston Villa), Josh McPake (Hearts), Lennon Miller (Udinese), Kristie Montgomery (Blackburn Rovers)
Forwards: Kieron Bowie (Sassuolo), Findlay Curtis (Rangers), Ben Gannon-Doak (Bournemouth), Oli McBurnie (Hull City), Robbie Ure (Sevilla), James Wilson (Hearts)
Breakdown of the changing nature of Scotland squads
12:27 , Jamie BraidwoodThere has been a fascinating transition in where Scottish players ply their club football trade over the past seven years
When Steve Clarke took charge and named his first squad in May 2019, 15 of his 27-man group played in Scotland, with a further 11 from the Premier League or the Championship in England.
By contrast, Pocognoli’s first squad named ahead of the new season of the Nations League features as many names who play in Italy (six) as there are from the Scottish Premiership, and that’s still without the unavailable Serie A-based Scott McTominay and Che Adams.
A sign of the times...
WATCH: Former Scotland boss Steve Clarke abandons post-match interview after just 23 seconds
12:18 , Luke BakerLet’s hope Sebastien Pocognoli is more amenable to media questions, even in the tough moments...
ANALYSIS: Scotland’s new era is a genuinely bold step into the unknown
12:11 , Jamie BraidwoodOther appointments may have attracted more attention across the increasingly star-studded realm of international managers. It is hardly Sebastien Pocognoli’s fault, though, that unlike Jurgen Klopp or Zinedine Zidane or Thomas Tuchel or Carlo Ancelotti he is not yet a Champions League winning coach, armed with a CV that contains titles and trophies at Europe’s biggest clubs.
At 39, the Belgian is at the start of his managerial career, rather than approaching the end, having overseen just 107 senior games in spells at two clubs, Union Saint-Gilloise and Monaco.
But look around the countries embracing a fresh start following the summer’s World Cup and there is an argument that the challenge facing Pocognoli with Scotland is the most compelling of all.
That the Scottish Football Association has embraced the opportunity for a clean slate with such a bold and left-field choice, following seven years of playing safe under the risk-averse Steve Clarke, is notable in itself; Pocognoli has been charged with taking Scotland in a new direction, just at the moment when the options available to the Scotland manager have undergone a drastic change.
Read Jamie Braidwood’s full analysis of an absolutely fascinating hire:
Scotland’s new era is a genuinely bold step into the unknown
Sebastien Pocognoli ready for his debut
12:05 , Luke BakerHow will Sebastien Pocognoli do things as Scotland boss? It’s going to be absolutely fascinating today.
He took the squad for a walk around Ljubljana earlier today before heading to the stadium
Early Scotland team news
12:01 , Luke BakerTo be honest, we’re shooting in the dark a little bit in terms of knowing exactly how Sebastien Pocognoli will want his team to line up/how to play.
But, in terms of absences, Pocognoli is without Scott McTominay, Che Adams and Lawrence Shankland, while Kieran Tierney and Kenny McLean also withdrew from the squad.
Hull City striker Oli McBurnie has been recalled to the Scotland squad and could make his first appearance since 2021, while Swansea defender Stephen Welsh, Celtic right-back Colby Donovan, Brondby defender Luis Binks, Stoke centre-back Luke Graham, Hearts winger Josh McPake and Sevilla striker Robbie Ure have all received their first call-ups.
McBurnie and Ure could feature in the attack, due to absences of Adams, Shankland and Steve Clarke favourite Lyndon Dykes, while Welsh and Binks could come straight into a new-look defence, potentially as part of a back-three.
Possible Scotland XI: Gunn; Welsh, Binks, McKenna; Hickey, Ferguson, Gilmour, Robertson; McGinn; Ure, McBurnie
How to watch Slovenia v Scotland
11:59 , Luke BakerScotland face Slovenia at Stadion Stozice in Ljubljana this afternoon, with kick-off at 2pm BST.
The match will be shown live on BBC One, with coverage from 1:45pm.
Slovenia v Scotland
11:53 , Luke BakerWelcome to The Independent’s coverage of Slovenia v Scotland in the Nations League
It’s an exciting new era for Scotland as Sebastien Pocognoli takes charge. Stick with us for full live coverage
