Sebastien Pocognoli feels 'positive nervousness' ahead of Scotland debut

New Scotland head coach Sebastien Pocognoli admits he is feeling a "positive nervousness" ahead of his first game in charge of the country. The Belgian was appointed in August, succeeding Steve Clarke, and will lead his team out for a Nations League tie against Slovenia in Ljubljana this Saturday.

Pocognoli spoke about the responsibility of the role and his excitement to be back on the touchline. He also revealed that he had a supportive phone call with his predecessor, Clarke. "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," Pocognoli said.

The squad is currently at a training camp in La Manga, Spain, featuring a significantly changed personnel. With eight uncapped players now in the setup, including 19-year-old James Wilson, the manager acknowledges the challenge of finding the right balance and team cohesion.

For me, it's about the personality of the players. I like a unit team who are just fighting for each other. We have to attack together and squeeze the pitch. When we need to defend, it's just to defend like brothers. Sebastien Pocognoli

Regarding his tactical approach, the manager noted that he is not tied to a specific formation, despite his history of using three at the back. His philosophy centers on aggressive pressing and high-tempo play, though he admits the team will need time to reach full cohesion.

With four Nations League matches scheduled over the next 11 days, Pocognoli expects to rotate his squad heavily. The focus remains on managing both physical loads and tactical development as he looks to establish his identity within the national team.