Sebastien Pocognoli is expected to hand debuts to two players and recall Oli McBurnie after a five-year absence when Scotland face Slovenia in the Nations League in Ljubljana. The new Belgian head coach has selected a young, fresh squad and must now pick his first starting XI.
Pocognoli's first selection
The former Under-21 boss has replaced Steve Clarke, who left after Scotland crashed out at the group stage of the World Cup in America this summer. Pocognoli has retained the core of Clarke's squad, including captain Andy Robertson, John McGinn, Ryan Christie, Angus Gunn and Scott McKenna.
Lewis Ferguson, Aaron Hickey, Jack Hendry and Billy Gilmour also remain from the Clarke era. However, Grant Hanley, John Souttar, Lyndon Dykes and George Hirst have been dropped from the World Cup pool, while Scott McTominay, Kenny McLean and Kieran Tierney miss out through injury.
New faces and returning striker
Luke Graham and Stephen Welsh are pushing for defensive spots after strong starts with Stoke City and Swansea City respectively. Lennon Miller returns in midfield, while U21 starlet Kristi Montgomery has been promoted. Up front, Hearts duo Josh McPake and James Wilson join Serie A forward Kieron Bowie and Sevilla's £8 million man Robbie Ure, alongside Ben Gannon-Doak and Findlay Curtis.
Hull City striker Oli McBurnie makes a long-awaited return after five years away from the national side. Pocognoli has been known for a 3-4-2-1 system and is expected to rely on the experienced core with new faces either starting or coming off the bench.
Predicted XI v Slovenia
Record Sport's predicted Scotland XI in a 3-4-2-1 formation: Gunn; Welsh, Hendry, McKenna; Hickey, Ferguson, Gilmour, Robertson; McGinn, McPake; McBurnie.
