Record Sport's top team answer the big questions facing Scottish football this weekend, including the Rangers vs Celtic combined XI debate and the Man City punishment debate.
Scotland's must-win double header
Is six points against North Macedonia and Slovenia now a must for Pocognoli?
KEITH JACKSON: Pretty much. His job won't be at risk if he fails to win them both but his credibility with the Tartan Army might well be. After a difficult first two games the new boss needs to prove that the whole Pocognoli project is ready to get off the ground.
SCOTT McDERMOTT: Yeah, I think it is. North Macedonia is in crisis so there are no excuses for Scotland not to go there and win. Then, from what we've seen of Slovenia in Ljubljana, we ought to be beating them at Hampden. Six points would give the manager and players a much-needed boost.
RYAN McDONALD: I think we're in that territory now. These are two games on paper we should be winning and it would be unthinkable for the new gaffer to end this break winless. He needs to get the Tartan Army onside and six points builds momentum.
Combined XI debate
Alan Hutton says no Celtic player gets into the Rangers XI. Do you agree?
KEITH JACKSON: No. But on recent form it is difficult to make a case for too many of them. Cameron Carter-Vickers, Callum McGregor, Alistair Johnston and Camilo Duran would be in the discussion.
SCOTT McDERMOTT: It's difficult to say. Right now, after two Rangers Old Firm wins, obviously you wouldn't say so given the performances from Martin O'Neill's side. But on top form, the likes of Callum McGregor, Cameron Carter-Vickers and Camilo Duran would all be vying for a spot.
RYAN McDONALD: On the basis of what? Two games? Celtic are down in the dumps right now, but have serial winners inside their dressing room and they'll get firing again. Rangers have the bragging rights and have signed well but the narrative changes week-by-week.
Jota return expectations
Jota played in a bounce game yesterday. But is it unfair for fans to pin their hopes on him?
KEITH JACKSON: Probably. For a variety of reasons he's hardly kicked a ball since he left the club more than three years ago. And that's before taking his rehab and recovery into consideration. The punters will have to be patient with him now he's finally on the way back.
SCOTT McDERMOTT: Of course it is. The Portuguese winger has missed so much football and is coming back from a really serious injury. At his best, he's a match-winner for Celtic, a fans' hero and one of the league's top players. But they must be patient with him after so long out.
RYAN McDONALD: Yes. Fans must temper expectations. This is a guy who has started just 26 games since first leaving Parkhead in 2023. He's a phenomenal talent when at his best, but it remains to be seen whether he'll be able to hit those heights again after a troublesome three years.
Man City sanctions verdict
The Man City scandal has shamed English football. What punishments should be dished out?
KEITH JACKSON: It's a hornet's nest. Cash fines won't cut it - and stripping titles means rewriting history - but massive points deductions over a number of future EPL seasons would really make them pay a huge price going forward. Forced regime change on 'fit and proper' grounds may also follow.
SCOTT McDERMOTT: We're guessing, of course. But you'd have to expect that - aside from other potential sanctions - they'll be hit with a massive, unprecedented points deduction which would see them relegated this season.
RYAN McDONALD: It's hard to put a timeframe on when the sanctions will actually be applied, but I'd be stunned if Man City aren't booted out of the Premier League. A significant point deduction will no doubt be enforced, while there's also the threat of trophy-stripping. It's all ifs, buts and maybes, though.
