Scotland’s new manager Sébastien Pocognoli is preparing to make his first major decision as national team boss by naming his opening squad selection.
Several players are understood to be pushing hard for inclusion, with a mix of established names, wildcard options, and those eager to resurrect their international careers.
Among the most talked-about contenders is a 22-year-old striker who recently secured a £9m move to Spanish La Liga side Sevilla after a prolific spell in Scandinavia.
The forward, identified as Ure, scored 20 goals for Sirius before earning his big-money transfer and has attracted significant attention from the Scottish Football Association.
SFA chief officer Craig Mulholland has reportedly been tracking Ure since his time as Rangers academy director, suggesting a long-standing institutional interest in the player.
Crucially, Ure holds eligibility for Ukraine as well as Scotland, giving the SFA added incentive to move quickly and secure his international commitment before a rival nation acts first.
Kieron Bowie is another name firmly in the frame, with the striker now back in Serie A after Sassuolo paid £9m to bring him from Hellas Verona during the most recent transfer window.
Bowie has two previous Scotland caps to his name but is said to have felt aggrieved at missing out on recent squad selections despite showing strong club form throughout the season.
A 20-year-old Celtic right-back is also generating considerable interest after stepping in impressively to fill the void left by Alistair Johnston, though the position remains fiercely competitive.
That young defender faces stiff competition from established international options including Aaron Hickey, Nathan Patterson, and Ross McCrorie, all of whom have previous experience at international level.
A defender from Swansea City has also been highlighted as a standout performer worthy of consideration, adding further depth to Pocognoli’s options at the back as he builds his squad.
Ryan Naderi is another player whose name has surfaced in discussions, with his recent form for Rangers believed to be catching the attention of the new Scotland coaching setup.
Pocognoli’s first squad announcement will be closely watched as an early signal of the direction he intends to take the national team following his appointment to replace Steve Clarke.
Clarke’s tenure ended with Scotland failing to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, and several players now see the change in management as a fresh opportunity to force their way back into contention.
The mixture of La Liga exposure, Serie A experience, and emerging domestic talent available to Pocognoli suggests Scotland’s player pool carries genuine depth heading into a new international era.
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