Sébastien Pocognoli expressed optimism about Scotland’s prospects, highlighting the importance of midfielder Billy Gilmour as the team looks to rebound after a disappointing World Cup campaign. Scotland exited the tournament at the group stage, a result compounded by Gilmour’s absence due to injury.
Pocognoli, who made his managerial debut in the Nations League with a goalless draw away to Slovenia last Saturday, praised Gilmour’s performance in the second half. The Napoli midfielder’s ability to play one-touch passes without hesitation reflects his understanding of the team’s tactical approach, according to the coach. Pocognoli emphasized the rarity of such players, noting that even opponents like Switzerland lack similar talents.
Ahead of Scotland’s upcoming match at Hampden Park against Switzerland, Pocognoli underlined the need for Gilmour to regain confidence and enjoyment on the field, citing his positive demeanor after the Slovenia game. Reflecting on previous observations of Gilmour during his time at Brighton, Pocognoli described him as “fantastic” and stressed the significance of seeing the midfielder “smiling” as he plays.
In preparation for the match, the Scotland squad trained at Hampden Park rather than their usual facility nearby, allowing new squad members to acquaint themselves with the historic venue. Pocognoli acknowledged the stadium’s significant legacy, saying it does not appear old but the history is palpable.
The coach also addressed concerns about squad selection and player fitness, especially with regard to those receiving limited playing time at club level. Key squad members including Ben Gannon-Doak, Ryan Christie, and Aaron Hickey have faced restricted minutes this season. While Pocognoli remains comfortable for now, he warned this situation cannot persist as the team looks ahead to the Euro 2028 qualifiers.
Pocognoli noted that Gannon-Doak is likely to gain more opportunities due to Bournemouth’s involvement in the Europa League, and Gilmour has seen action recently as the Champions League season started. However, he flagged potential challenges in maintaining physical readiness if players do not receive regular game time by next March. The manager indicated that the upcoming November period will offer a clearer picture on player fitness and form ahead of the qualification campaign.