Scotland began the Sebastien Pocognoli era with a goalless draw in Slovenia in their Nations League opener, a result that left a mixed impression after a turgid first half was followed by a thrusting second.
The opening 45 minutes were disjointed and devoid of the qualities Pocognoli had outlined as his non-negotiables: front-foot pressing, high intensity, speed of thought and goal threat. Scotland failed to register a shot on target and lost countless aerial duels. They took 38 minutes to even touch the ball in Slovenia’s penalty area. The hosts were toothless, but Scotland were neither accurate nor energetic. It was a performance that made those preaching patience gulp.
After the break, everything changed. Scotland became an attacking force, producing as dominant a goalless half as you are likely to see. Oli McBurnie, still without an international goal, missed a glorious one-on-one chance with Jan Oblak six minutes into the half. He later admitted he would not sleep after failing to convert. Robbie Ure hit a post, Kieron Bowie missed a terrific chance, and the three strikers drew a blank—but there was hope in their performance.
The statistics painted a picture of improvement: all 10 starting outfield players had a shot on goal, the first time that had happened since June 2022 against Armenia. Scotland’s 17 shots were their most in a competitive game in over 14 years. However, they have now failed to score in three consecutive tournament games for the first time in almost 22 years.
Pocognoli’s tactical adjustment was key. He dropped McBurnie into a deeper pocket behind Ure, and later Bowie, while Billy Gilmour sat lower in midfield to dictate play. Gilmour tied everything together in the second half. Pocognoli described it as “two games in one game,” and he was right—the subtle repositioning brought Scotland alive.
McBurnie’s big chance came when he created it himself, winning possession and bearing down on an isolated Oblak. He could have dinked it, slid it home, or gone through the goalkeeper’s legs, but instead tried to take it round the Slovenian. Oblak won the duel. The goalkeeper was by a million miles Slovenia’s best player. McBurnie also played a slick one-two with Gilmour, whose shot was saved. He had a header fly over, Aaron Hickey headed just wide, and Bowie, on as a substitute, had three chances in eight minutes, including a big one played in by Gilmour but pulled wide.
Scotland were utterly dominant but achingly goalless, earning just one point when it really should have been three.
Pocognoli said he was heartened by the second half. Fans should be buoyed by a head coach who recognised his team’s problems and fixed them. Going with McBurnie and Ure up front was a surprise, but it signalled an offensive intent that clicked after the break. It is surreal that after another game without a goal, there is much to be hopeful about in the strikers. McBurnie, Ure and Bowie are an exciting trio. When others are fit, Che Adams, Lawrence Shankland, Tommy Conway and Ross Stewart are options, and young James Wilson will have his moment.
The next test is the biggest one: Switzerland, ranked 14th in the world, at Hampden on Tuesday night. They are missing some serious operators but are brilliantly coached by Murat Yakin, settled and formidable. Win, and it’s lift-off time for Pocognoli.