​Belgian Sébastien Pocognoli has taken over the Scotland national team after after the Steve Clarke era ends. (Photo by Valery HACHE / AFP via Getty Images) GettyLIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 09: Jan Oblak of Atletico Madrid looks dejected after Alexis Mac Allister of Liverpool (not pictured) scores his team’s second goal during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Liverpool FC and Atletico de Madrid at Anfield on September 09, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) GettyA new era of Scottish football begins on Saturday when Sébastien Pocognoli takes charge for the first time, away to Slovenia in the UEFA Nations League. Kick-off at Stadion Stožice in Ljubljana is 15:00 CEST / 14:00 BST / 9:00 a.m. ET, and it’s the first look at life after Steve Clarke, who resigned following Scotland’s group-stage exit at the World Cup.Slovenia vs Scotland Team News: Injuries and Squad ChangesSlovenia are without star striker Benjamin Šeško, still nursing a shin problem, along with Žan Zaletel, Nik Prelec, Kenan Bajrić and Marcel Ratnik. Slovan Bratislava’s Andraž Šporar is expected to lead the line in Šeško’s absence. Jan Oblak starts in goal behind a likely back four of Žan Karničnik, Jaka Bijol, Vanja Drkušić and Erik Janža.Scotland are missing Scott McTominay through injury, while Kieran Tierney and Kenny McLean both withdrew this week, with Blackburn’s Kristi Montgomery called up as a late replacement. Pocognoli has named eight uncapped players in his first squad, 14 in total who weren’t part of the World Cup group. The recalled Oli McBurnie is tipped to lead the line, likely alongside Sevilla’s Robbie Ure, while Billy Gilmour returns having missed the World Cup through injury. Andy Robertson and John McGinn carry the experienced core.GettyLIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 09: Jan Oblak of Atletico Madrid looks dejected after Alexis Mac Allister of Liverpool (not pictured) scores his team’s second goal during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Liverpool FC and Atletico de Madrid at Anfield on September 09, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Predicted Lineups for Slovenia vs ScotlandSlovenia: Oblak; Karničnik, Bijol, Drkušić, Janža; Šturm, Lovrić; Gnezda Čerin, Elšnik, Begić; ŠporarScotland: Gunn; Welsh, Binks, McKenna; Hickey, Ferguson, Gilmour, Robertson; McGinn; Ure, McBurnieHow to Watch Slovenia vs ScotlandCountryChannelUSAFOX Sports 2 (English) / ViX (Spanish)UKBBC OneCanadaDAZNAustraliabeIN Sports 3SloveniaSport Klub 1Check local listings if your country isn’t listed above, since Nations League rights vary by region.What’s at Stake in Pocognoli’s First GameThis is about first impressions as much as points. Pocognoli, previously at Union Saint-Gilloise and Monaco, is already looking past the World Cup, and he wants a more front-foot approach than Clarke’s pragmatic delivery. Slovenia arr