Pocognoli reshuffles Scotland squad after injuries to key players
Scotland head coach Sebastien Pocognoli has added Blackburn midfielder Kristi Montgomery to his squad after Kieran Tierney and Kenny McLean pulled out. The 22-year-old is one of eight uncapped players in the 27-man group. Scotland begin their Nations League campaign against Slovenia on Saturday.
Pocognoli's squad now contains eight uncapped players, reflecting a significant generational shift. The goalkeeping ranks have been reshaped, with Angus Gunn starting regularly at San Jose Earthquakes and Jon McCracken helping Bradford City top League One, while Liam Kelly is the only keeper not featuring for his club.
Among forwards, Oli McBurnie starts for Hull City in the Premier League, Robbie Ure featured for Sevilla against Barcelona, and James Wilson has secured a starting role at Hearts. In midfield, Billy Gilmour scored for Napoli and was named man of the match, while Lewis Ferguson captains Bologna and Lennon Miller started again for Udinese.
This reshuffled squad could affect Scotland's competitive prospects in the Nations League, with several established players absent. The influx of young, uncapped talent may shape the national team's identity for years, potentially influencing fan engagement and youth development pathways. However, the outcome remains uncertain, as inexperience against Slovenia could prove costly in the short term.