Scotland Coach Sebastien Pocognoli has acknowledged feeling a “positive nervousness” before his first game in charge of the national team.
The Belgian was appointed in August following the departure of Steve Clarke, whose seven-year spell as Scotland manager ended following their group stage exit in the World Cup
Pocognoli’s first assignment comes against Slovenia in Ljubljana on Saturday, starting a demanding four-game Nations League run in just 11 days.
Scotland then face Switzerland at Hampden before traveling to North Macedonia, with a home game against Slovenia completing the sequence.
“If we’re talking about nerves, yes, but it’s a positive nervousness,” he told BBC Sport Scotland. “We have a job with responsibility. It’s exciting and I’m just passionate about being on the sideline.”
Pocognoli has made significant changes to the squad, with eight players yet to win the Scotland cap.
Among those included are 19-year-old James Wilson, four 20-year-olds in Findlay Curtis, Ben Gannon-Doak, Lennon Miller and Colby Donovan, plus Kristi Montgomery, Luke Graham and 22-year-old Robbie Ure.
Montgomery was called up to the squad after Blackburn team-mate Kenny McLean withdrew through injury, bringing the number of uncapped players to eight.
Pocognoli keeps Scotland flexible
Pocognoli has confirmed he already knows the formation and starting line-up he intends to use against Slovenia, but believes Scotland need the ability to adapt throughout the Nations League campaign.
“I always think that the players select themselves,” he added. “We have four games so we have to plan, we have to have a periodization (managing training loads, games and recovery) of the tactical and physical aspect.
“This team can be flexible. We’re ready for all four games in terms of the kind of approach we want to give.”
Pocognoli has also spoken to Clarke since taking the Scotland job, and described their conversation as a positive experience.
“He was very kind, very … humble. He was very helpful to me. It was just to let me know he’s behind the team. He was very happy (in his time on the job) but he also felt it was the right time (to leave). He wished me the best.”
“I will try to be as successful as the previous staff because we want to play in a big tournament. We want to create this moment for the country.”
