Scotland predicted XI vs Slovenia as Hendry return poses selection dilemma
Scotland predicted XI vs Slovenia: Hendry dilemma

Scotland head coach Sebastien Pocognoli faces a selection headache for the final game of the international break against Slovenia at Hampden, with one defender returning from suspension while another drops out through a ban.

Centre-back Jack Hendry is available again after being sent off in the 3-0 Nations League defeat to Switzerland. However, defensive partner Scott McKenna is now suspended himself after receiving a red card in Saturday night's 2-0 win in North Macedonia.

Forced change in defence

Even if Pocognoli wanted to stick with the same 11 who won in Skopje, he cannot do so. The Belgian boss will have to make at least one alteration to his line-up.

The question is whether Hendry should be drafted straight back in. Luis Binks and Stephen Welsh were excellent against North Macedonia, so they should surely keep their place. With Hendry available again, he will be favourite to fill the McKenna vacancy.

But when the Dinamo Zagreb defender was red-carded at the weekend, Luke Graham came on for his debut and did well. Also, Hendry did not cover himself in glory against the Swiss, getting sent off after just eight minutes for a daft decision to upend Dan Ndoye.

Midfield and attack settled

The central midfield should not change, with Lewis Ferguson and Billy Gilmour a solid pairing in the engine room. On the right flank, Aaron Hickey and Nathan Patterson will both feel they deserve a recall, but Pocognoli is expected to stick with an out-and-out winger in Ben Gannon-Doak.

He was a constant threat in Skopje and can cause Slovenia a real problem on that side, though he just has to improve his final ball. Kieron Bowie bagged his first goal for Scotland on Saturday and should keep his place, while John McGinn is a certain starter in one of the positions behind.

Up until now, Oli McBurnie has filled the other one, but he was hooked at half-time against North Macedonia. His replacement, Ryan Christie, performed well from the bench in the second half and might be given the nod.

Record Sport's predicted XI v Slovenia (3-4-2-1): Gunn; Welsh, Hendry, Binks; Gannon-Doak, Ferguson, Gilmour, Robertson; McGinn, Christie; Bowie.