Scotland began a new chapter under head coach Sebastien Pocognoli with a goalless Nations League draw against Slovenia in Ljubljana. The story of his first game in charge was one of missed chances in front of goal, with the Scots' strikers at the centre of the tale.
Robbie Ure hit the post in the first half before his partner Oli McBurnie squandered an opportunity. Substitute Kieron Bowie came off the bench but the theme continued, as he was denied by Slovenian goalkeeper Jan Oblak before putting another gilt-edged chance wide.
Pocognoli's promise
A goalless draw is not the start Scotland's new boss would have wanted after taking over, and during a turgid first half the Tartan Army might have been worried about where this was all going. But just as they might have been pining for Steve Clarke, the Belgian boss showed a bit of what he has at half-time.
His team were far better after the break and gave fans a glimpse of what hopefully will be seen a lot more of in the future. There were plenty of positives in the second 45 and Scotland should have won their Nations League opener.
Pocognoli said when he arrived he wanted a front-footed, aggressive team that plays with intensity. Although it was far from perfect, there were at least signs of that against the Slovenians. Scotland dominated and had enough good chances to pick up three points, and his substitutes also had a positive impact.
Defensive indecision
Pocognoli opted for a back three, as expected, but the positioning of the three players he picked to fill those slots surprised most Scots. Stephen Welsh deserved a chance to show he is good enough to play for his country, while Jack Hendry and Scott McKenna were always likely to continue there after being a big part of the Steve Clarke era.
It seemed certain Welsh would start on the right, Hendry in the centre, and McKenna on his preferred left side. But the new boss shuffled it about, with Hendry right, McKenna central and Welsh left. Early on, all three looked uncomfortable. McKenna had a poor opening spell against Andraz Sporar, and Welsh constantly had to turn onto his favoured right foot. It was a difficult start for the trio, and if Pocognoli is going to stick with this system, that area will need work.
Ure the man
One of Pocognoli's big calls was the inclusion of Robbie Ure up front. Scotland fans have been crying out for the 22-year-old to get an opportunity, especially after his £8 million move to Spanish side Sevilla in the summer. He got the chance he craved, with Oli McBurnie and John McGinn supporting him in behind.
Ure showed glimpses of what he is capable of. He looks like an all-round centre-forward, physical enough to be a target man at times but also mobile enough to go in behind and give defenders a problem. His goalscoring record in Sweden in recent years suggests he can finish as well. It will take time to adapt to international football, but he did enough here to suggest he can be an asset for Pocognoli going forward. It was almost a dream debut just before half-time when he rifled a shot off the outside of the post.
McBurnie miss
After getting 16 caps and failing to score, Oli McBurnie had to wait another five years for another chance. The Hull City striker has been desperate for an opportunity after being cast aside by ex-boss Clarke. He finally got the nod from Pocognoli, albeit in a slightly different position to the one he is used to, asked to play in behind Ure up top, which involved a lot of tracking back and an unselfish shift.
That probably limited his prospects in front of goal, but he got one golden chance early in the second half that he should have buried. He was super-sharp to get in on goal, then really ought to have slotted it past Oblak. Instead, McBurnie tried to take it around the giant stopper inside the box and had the ball nicked off his toe. Later, he had a point-blank header saved by Oblak from a corner, and his wait for a Scotland goal goes on.
Scots' stronger second half
After a difficult first period, Scotland were much improved in the second 45 and should have won the game. Their starting position was higher up the pitch, and there was a definite increase in tempo and intensity. They were far more aggressive in their pressing game, resulting in more chances in the final third. Scotland were suddenly playing the game in Slovenia's half and were far more of a threat.
The only thing missing was a goal, and the manager will be disappointed they did not capitalise on their dominance. As well as McBurnie's two chances, substitute Kieron Bowie also had a couple of big moments that should have seen the Scots go in front. The Sassuolo striker was firstly denied by Oblak's close-range save inside the box, and then when he found himself clean through, he beat the keeper but pushed his shot wide of the target.
