McBurnie returns to Scotland squad after five years under Pocognoli

Oli McBurnie has been recalled to the Scotland squad for the first time in five years, with new head coach Sebastien Pocognoli also naming seven players who are uncapped at senior level, according to BBC Sport. The first list from Pocognoli blends experience with fresh faces.

The matches are Scotland’s Nations League fixtures against Slovenia (home and away), plus trips to North Macedonia and Switzerland. Pocognoli takes charge on Saturday, 26 September for the opener versus Slovenia in Nations League B; the next game is against Switzerland three days later, with North Macedonia on 3 October and Slovenia again on 6 October.

A shake-up with new talent

Alongside McBurnie, Luis Binks, Colby Donovan, Jon McCracken, Josh McPake and Stephen Welsh are included in Pocognoli’s opening squad, with seven uncapped players in total. Luke Graham (Stoke City) and Robbie Ure (Sevilla) earn first senior call-ups, while there are also recalls for Scott Bain, Kieron Bowie, Josh Doig, Lennon Miller and Napoli midfielder Billy Gilmour, who returns after missing the World Cup through injury.

Pocognoli framed the selection as part of a reset. As he put it, it’s “a new opportunity” for some and “a really new beginning” for others, with the priority being the style of play Scotland will try to produce. He added that the “door is never closed”, leaving room for further choices.

McBurnie’s context and key absences

McBurnie, 30, first played for Scotland in 2018 and his last cap came in 2021. He has not scored for Scotland, but did convert a penalty in the shootout that secured qualification for the delayed Euro 2020 finals, per BBC Sport. With this call-up, he’ll be looking to break back into contention after time spent out of favour.

The squad also reflects several absences: Scott McTominay is unavailable while recovering from a minor heart procedure, Che Adams is injured, and Lawrence Shankland is ruled out for up to four months with a hamstring problem, as reported.