SKOPJE — Sebastien Pocognoli arrives at the Nacionalna Arena Toše Proeski still seeking his first win as Scotland head coach, with a must-win Nations League Group B1 visit to North Macedonia following a 0-0 draw in Slovenia and a bruising 3-0 home defeat by Switzerland on Tuesday.
The 39-year-old Belgian opened his first four-game camp promising chances for as many players as possible and made three changes from the opener in Ljubljana, but his preferred three-at-the-back system was effectively abandoned after 10 minutes against Switzerland when centre-half Jack Hendry was sent off. Hendry is now suspended for Skopje, forcing at least one enforced change against the lowest-ranked side in the group, which has already lost to both Switzerland and Slovenia.
Defensive options are open. Swansea City's Stephen Welsh started in Slovenia and returned as an early substitute on Tuesday, while Dinamo Zagreb's Scott McKenna has played the full 180 minutes and Brondby's Luis Binks did not look out of place on debut against the Swiss, with Stoke City's 22-year-old Luke Graham still awaiting his first cap. Brentford's 24-year-old Aaron Hickey was rested against Switzerland and not risked for two games in a week but could return, while captain Andy Robertson of Tottenham Hotspur is expected to start after Sassuolo's Josh Doig finished the final 15 minutes on Tuesday, and Torino's Nathan Patterson faces pressure on the right where Bournemouth's 20-year-old Ben Gannon-Doak is pushing for a start after improving Scotland's attack as a substitute in Slovenia and tracking back diligently against Switzerland.
In central midfield, Napoli's Billy Gilmour has been a standout and Bologna captain Lewis Ferguson has protected the defence, while Aston Villa's John McGinn has been less influential and could be vulnerable, with Bournemouth's 31-year-old Ryan Christie, Udinese's 20-year-old Lennon Miller and uncapped Blackburn Rovers 22-year-old Kristi Montgomery as alternatives. Up front Pocognoli has favoured two strikers, with Hull City's 30-year-old Oli McBurnie impressing in both games and in contention for a third straight start, while Sevilla's Robbie Ure and Sassuolo's Kieron Bowie — sacrificed early after Hendry's red card despite neat touches — offer fresh legs. In goal, Angus Gunn remains the undisputed number one since succeeding Craig Gordon after his summer move from Nottingham Forest to San Jose Earthquakes, though the 30-year-old drew criticism for Switzerland's first and third goals on Tuesday.