Sébastien Pocognoli’s reign as Scotland head coach began with a goalless Nations League draw against Slovenia in Ljubljana, a result that left the hosts grateful for their point and Scotland’s players taking deserved applause. The 39-year-old was sampling international management for the first time, and he had grimaced only a day earlier when recalling his own playing debut for Belgium, when Alessandro Del Piero and Italy found favourable opposition while preparing for the 2008 World Cup. His maiden game in the Scotland dugout offered blue skies, a dainty stadium and, after the interval, glimpses of optimism about Scotland’s world post-Steve Clarke.
Ninety-four days had passed since Scotland’s defeat by Brazil all but confirmed their World Cup elimination, after which Clarke announced his resignation. Players and supporters alike appear caught between deep gratitude to Clarke for altering Scotland’s fortunes and heralding regime change. There was little to complain about in the preparation: Pocognoli took his squad and a mini army of backroom staff to La Manga ahead of the Nations League clash. With a sense of revolution in the air, he unleashed a hitherto unseen front two, handing Robbie Ure a debut while Oli McBurnie returned from the wilderness. The opening half only proved there is little point deploying multiple strikers if there is no adequate means of supplying them.
Scotland were awful for 45 minutes, passive and directionless, well drilled off the ball but descending into panic when in possession. Slovenia, little better than ordinary, should have seized on those shortcomings. Andraz Sporar had the ball in the net in the eighth minute but was flagged offside, then missed a golden opportunity from six yards after fine work from Danijel Sturm. As Aljosa Matko shanked wide of Angus Gunn’s goal, the Tartan Army’s groans were audible. Except for a Ure shot from 20 yards that clipped a post, Scotland were nonexistent as an attacking force, an overhit Billy Gilmour pass intended for Andy Robertson that flew out of play summing things up. Slovenia, who failed to reach the World Cup, were watched by rows of empty seats, and the absence of Benjamin Sesko did nothing to help a shot-shy home side.
Whatever message Pocognoli forcefully pressed home at the break had impact. McBurnie should have marked his Scotland return with a goal within five minutes of the restart, but the Hull forward opted to try to jink around Jan Oblak rather than slam a shot past him, and the goalkeeper stretched out his arms while grounded to pinch the ball from his feet. That triggered Scottish improvement. Gilmour forced a save from Oblak after a one-two with McBurnie, Aaron Hickey could not quite divert a John McGinn corner on target, and Oblak had to be sharp to deny Kieron Bowie before doing likewise to McBurnie from a corner. Bowie’s miss 12 minutes from time, after being fed by Gilmour, was a howler. Pocognoli was emboldened, sending on Ben Gannon-Doak in place of Hickey, effectively a winger for a full-back.
Scotland huffed, puffed, pushed and wheezed; Slovenia stood firm. The failing was a familiar one, with a lack of goals having haunted Clarke, though this version of Scotland did at least create a handful of openings. Scott McTominay, a key attacking threat, was missing. Instilling ruthlessness in a team is no easy task, but it is one Pocognoli has the coaching credentials to meet, while Slovenia, on this evidence, face the more significant challenges. Pocognoli nodded with approval as the whistle blew, and next comes a sterner test at home against Switzerland.