Scotland's new head coach Sebastien Pocognoli has taken eight uncapped players to Spain for Nations League preparations, sparking debate over whether his squad shake-up will translate into a fresh team. The Tartan Army are set to take over Ljubljana for Saturday’s opener against Slovenia at Stadion Stozice, with the squad flying in from La Manga on Friday. Former internationals James McFadden and Pat Nevin have weighed in, with Nevin calling it "slightly bizarre" to start more than two uncapped players, while McFadden insists the team will look "pretty similar" without major surprises.

Pocognoli is expected to deploy a back-three, with Stephen Welsh, Luke Graham, and Luis Binks potentially offering a glimpse into the future, though Jack Hendry and Scott McTominay remain favoured. McFadden hopes Aaron Hickey can "drive" the team forward from centre-back, while Billy Gilmour’s return is eagerly anticipated. With Scott McTominay out after heart surgery, John McGinn will be central, and Lewis Ferguson is tipped to partner Gilmour. Lyndon Dykes and Che Adams are expected to lead the attack, with Ryan Christie and Stuart Armstrong in contention for midfield roles.