A first chance to explore a new look Scotland

Slovenia v Scotland preview

Showtime is fast approaching for Sebastien Pocognoli’s Scotland.

Author | Andy Mac

The Tartan Army are already taking over the Slovenian capital, Ljubljana, with their heroes due to join them later on Friday after flying in from La Manga ahead of Saturday’s opening Nations League game.

Scotland’s new head coach took a number of fresh faces to Spain, earning early praise from supporters who had been calling for a shake-up in the squad. The question now is how much of that change will be reflected in his starting XI.

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Adding eight uncapped players to a 27-man squad, before releasing Findlay Curtis and James Wilson to the Under-21s, is one thing. Whether that change is reflected in the line-up when it is announced on the national team’s social media channels on Saturday afternoon is another.

Throwback to Brazil v Scotland at the 2026 World Cup

Media and former player analysis 

Former Scotland winger Pat Nevin believes it would be “slightly bizarre” to see more than two uncapped players start, while fellow ex-international James McFadden expects the team to look “pretty similar”, without any “big surprises”.

So, for Scotland, could it be a case of the more things change, the more they stay the same?