Scotland head coach Sebastien Pocognoli has admitted to feeling a “positive nervousness” ahead of his first match 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 after their group-stage exit at the World Cup.
Pocognoli’s first assignment comes against Slovenia in Ljubljana on Saturday, beginning a demanding run of four Nations League fixtures in just 11 days.
Scotland will then face Switzerland at Hampden before travelling to North Macedonia, with a home meeting against Slovenia completing the sequence.
“If we talk about nerves, yes, but it’s a positive nervousness,” he told BBC Sport Scotland. “We have a job with responsibility. It’s excitement and I’m just passionate about being on the touchline.”
Pocognoli has made significant changes to the squad, with eight players yet to win a senior Scotland cap.
Among those included are 19-year-old James Wilson, four players aged 20 in Findlay Curtis, Ben Gannon-Doak, Lennon Miller and Colby Donovan, plus 22-year-olds Kristi Montgomery, Luke Graham and Robbie Ure.
Montgomery was called into the squad after Blackburn teammate Kenny McLean withdrew through injury, taking the number of uncapped players to eight.
Pocognoli keeps Scotland flexible
Pocognoli confirmed that he already knows the formation and starting team he intends to use against Slovenia, but believes Scotland need the ability to adapt throughout the Nations League campaign.
“I always think the players select themselves,” he added. “We have four games, so we need to plan. We need to have a periodisation [managing training loads, games and recovery] about the tactical aspect and the physical aspect.
“This team can be flexible. We’re ready for the four games in terms of what kind of approach we want to give.”
Pocognoli has also spoken to Clarke since taking the Scotland job, describing their conversation as a positive experience.
“He was very kind, very… humble. That was very helpful for me. It just was to let me know that he’s behind the team. He was very happy [in his time in the job] but he also felt that it was the right time [to leave]. He wished me all 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.”
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