Scotland head coach Sebastien Pocognoli has called on the Tartan Army to show patience with his key players after they helped secure a 2-0 Nations League victory over North Macedonia in Skopje on Saturday night.
Skipper Andy Robertson won his 100th cap in the match, while Aston Villa midfielder John McGinn scored from the penalty spot as Pocognoli recorded his first win since succeeding Steve Clarke. Ben Gannon-Doak, the £25m Bournemouth winger, impressed on his first start under the Belgian boss despite missing two big chances, as Scotland racked up 25 efforts on goal.
Pocognoli calls for patience with young stars
Gannon-Doak, 20, may return to the bench for Tuesday's Hampden clash with Slovenia despite his performance at right wing back. Pocognoli reminded supporters that the youngster is still developing at international level.
“That’s a good point to reflect on. We have good quality in the team but sometimes I think we expect a lot from Ben, from John, from Robbo. But we are building something new together. It will come. The game Ben produced on Saturday, we hope that will continue. But he is still young,” he said.
Response to online criticism
Pocognoli revealed he had been made aware of online criticism aimed at Robertson and McGinn following Tuesday's 3-0 home defeat to Switzerland. He wants the burden of responsibility shared more evenly across the squad.
“I didn’t read any of it myself but I was told about it. When I hear about things like this, I always try to understand why. But, you know, when players come from such a high level, coming from clubs where they are used to playing together, with so much quality around them?” he said.
“That doesn’t mean that we don’t have quality. But it’s not easy sometimes to come out of your club, where you have your own habits and routines, and then come here with a lot of expectation from the people. From my side, I think they are top, top class.
“John had a good game against North Macedonia and Robbo played a good game. That the expectation levels have to be regarding where we are, this Scotland team. But it’s good. It means that people believe in us and people believe in the players. But I think as a team we need to make this individual expectation more of a global expectation.”
