Played two, lost two, scored one, conceded five. That is Sebastien Pocognoli's record at Hampden as Scotland head coach, and on Friday night North Macedonia arrive in Glasgow with no points, no goals and 10 conceded from four Nations League games. If Scotland cannot win this one at home, the questions about the Belgian will stop being polite.
He knows it. "Criticism is part of the business as a coach," Pocognoli told BBC Scotland. "It's just about rebounding."
What went wrong against Slovenia
The first home defeat, to Switzerland, came with an excuse attached, because Jack Hendry was sent off early. The second did not. Scotland were flat against Slovenia, short of ideas and bullied physically, and captain Andy Robertson said afterwards his side had been out-played and out-fought.
Pocognoli's own review is blunt. "We were not intense. We were not aggressive, and this is the one non-negotiable topic with me. We didn't deserve more in that game." He also conceded he might have rotated more, with his players looking leggy at the end of a four-game camp.
The one bright night so far was in Skopje, where Scotland beat these same opponents 2-0 in his third match. They did that without Scott McTominay, Kieran Tierney and Che Adams.
McTominay, Tierney and Adams are back
All three are available this time, and that changes the look of the squad. McTominay spoke on Tuesday about the heart problem he played through at the World Cup and the cardiac ablation he had in September. He has five goals in his last six games for Napoli since. Pocognoli called his return "a massive impact" for a young group: "He's a leader. A player who can pass the message to the young generation and show them direction."
Tierney has been one of the few Celtic players in form. Adams has two goals in five in Italy. Ben Gannon-Doak, who was averaging 18 minutes a game for Bournemouth before the last camp, has played seven times since at an average of 53 and was man of the match in a 3-0 win over AC Milan. His club-mate Ryan Christie has started six of Bournemouth's eight straight wins.
There are selection calls further back. BBC Scotland's Tom English makes the case for Scott Bain over Angus Gunn in goal, pointing out that San Jose Earthquakes have let in eight in their last three with Gunn at fault for at least one. Luke Graham, playing well at Stoke, is pushing to start at centre-back. And there is a new face in the defensive group: David Bates, 30, now with Amedspor in Turkey, has been called up after Brondby's Luis Binks withdrew. Bates won the last of his four caps in 2019 under Alex McLeish and has started all 11 league games for a side sitting third in the Super Lig.
Back three again, by the sound of it
Pocognoli says he is not married to a system. He then spent a fair while explaining why three at the back suits this squad, which tells you what to expect on Friday.
"I try to find the best shape to make the players shine on the pitch," he said. "I believe for this team, right now, it's one of the best shapes. It's a brave style of play that demands a lot of energy." He used the same structure when Union Saint-Gilloise won the Belgian title, and mostly at Monaco.
The message to the players in camp, in his words, is "continuity and improvement", with an eye on the Euros campaign next season. Fine. But Friday is about something simpler than that.
Prediction
Scotland sit three points behind Slovenia in the section, with Switzerland perfect at the top and waiting in the second game of this window on Monday. North Macedonia have been the group's soft touch and Scotland have their best midfielder back and scoring. Anything short of a comfortable win would be a real problem for the head coach. We think they get it: Scotland 2-0 North Macedonia, with McTominay on the scoresheet.
Match facts: Scotland v North Macedonia, Uefa Nations League, Hampden Park, Glasgow, Friday 13 November 2026. Scotland have four points from four group games; North Macedonia have none, with no goals scored and 10 conceded. Reverse fixture: North Macedonia 0-2 Scotland. Squad change: David Bates (Amedspor) replaces Luis Binks (Brondby). Scotland then travel to Switzerland on Monday 16 November.
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