Sebastien Pocognoli's tenure as head coach of the Scotland national football team began on a disappointing note, with a 2-1 defeat to Slovenia at Hampden last month. However, he now has the opportunity to turn things around as Scotland gears up to face North Macedonia in Glasgow's southside on Friday, a match that will be broadcast live on the BBC. This encounter is part of a crucial double-header in the Nations League, culminating in a challenging away fixture against Switzerland on Monday.
The upcoming match against North Macedonia will see the return of key players Scott McTominay, Kieran Tierney, and Che Adams to the national squad. McTominay, who has been in good form at Napoli with five goals in 11 appearances, is expected to make his first appearance under Pocognoli. The Belgian coach has utilized a 3-4-2-1 or 3-4-1-2 formation in his initial matches, and McTominay's deployment alongside John McGinn, known for their effective partnership, is a potential strategy.S1S2
In terms of squad selection, Pocognoli faces several dilemmas. While Billy Gilmour and Lewis Ferguson have been the central midfield pairing in previous matches, Ryan Christie may finally get a chance to showcase his skills, particularly after his impressive performances with Bournemouth. The wing-back positions are also under scrutiny; captain Andy Robertson is a guaranteed starter on the left, while Ben Gannon-Doak, despite not being a natural fit on the right, has shown promise, especially in the recent 2-0 victory over North Macedonia. Aaron Hickey could be a viable alternative for the tougher match against Switzerland.S1S2
The decision regarding striker Oli McBurnie is another point of contention. After returning to the squad and earning praise for his work rate, McBurnie still seeks his first goal in 20 caps. However, he has recently found the net in the Premier League with Hull City, scoring twice in his last three outings. If Scotland opts for a two-striker formation against a North Macedonia side that has not scored in eight matches, McBurnie's position seems secure. Alternatively, the manager might consider Adams or Kieron Bowie, who scored against North Macedonia in October but has recently lost his starting place at Sassuolo, which could influence the selection.S1S2
