Pocognoli begins Scotland tenure with draw in Ljubljana

Sébastien Pocognoli's first match as Scotland head coach ended in a stalemate against Slovenia in Ljubljana in the Nations League on Friday. A sluggish first half gave way to a more purposeful second period, but Scotland could not find a decisive goal.

Ninety four days had passed since Scotland's loss to Brazil all but confirmed World Cup elimination and led to Steve Clarke's resignation, setting the scene for a managerial change. Players and supporters arrived in Slovenia split between gratitude for Clarke's achievements and curiosity about the new regime. Pocognoli, at the age of 39, took charge of his first international match. Slovenia entered the game having failed to reach the World Cup, with rows of empty seats and the absence of Benjamin Sesko noted in the home side's attacking buildup; Scott McTominay was also absent for Scotland.

The opening 45 minutes offered little quality, with Scotland described as passive and directionless in possession while remaining organised without the ball. Slovenia produced the game's earliest controversy when Andraz Sporar had a goal ruled out for offside in the eighth minute. Sporar then squandered a six-yard chance following Danijel Sturm's build-up, and Aljosa Matko later shanked a clear opportunity wide.

Scotland's attacking output in the first half was minimal apart from a Robbie Ure effort that struck a post and a misplaced Billy Gilmour pass intended for Andy Robertson that flew out of play. Pocognoli had started with an unfamiliar front pair, handing Robbie Ure his debut and restoring Oli McBurnie to the line-up, but the first period highlighted a lack of service to the forwards.

The second half produced a visible response from Scotland. McBurnie should have scored within five minutes of the restart but attempted to dribble around goalkeeper Jan Oblak and lost possession when Oblak reached the ball. A one-two between Gilmour and McBurnie forced Oblak into a save, and Aaron Hickey nearly redirected a John McGinn corner on target.

Oblak remained decisive for Slovenia, denying Kieron Bowie and later McBurnie from set-piece situations, while Bowie miscued a gilt-edged chance 12 minutes from time after a Gilmour pass. Pocognoli introduced Ben Gannon-Doak for Hickey, a change described as a winger for a full back, as Scotland pressed without converting several openings.

Pocognoli acknowledged the effort at full-time as his players received applause and the manager nodded as the whistle blew. Scotland's next fixture is at home against Switzerland, a match the report described as a sterner test.