Pocognoli’s reign as Scotland coach begins with stalemate in Slovenia

Sébastien Pocognoli grimaced on Friday when recalling his playing debut for Belgium. Alessandro del Piero and Italy discovered favourable opposition when preparing for the 2008 World Cup. Pocognoli will also look back, in time, at his maiden game as the head coach of Scotland. Blue skies, a dainty stadium in Ljubljana and a second half display that provided glimpses of optimism in respect of Scotland’s world post-Steve Clarke. The best-forgotten first 45 minutes can be explained by a squad operating under a new regime. By full-time, Slovenia were grateful for their point. Scottish players took deserved applause.

Scotland’s failing here was a familiar one. A lack of goals haunted Clarke. This version of Scotland did at least create a handful of openings. Scott McTominay, a key attacking threat, was missing. Instilling ruthlessness in a team is no easy task but it is one Pocognoli has the coaching credentials to meet. Slovenia, on this evidence, have the more significant challenges.

Ninety four days had passed since Scotland’s loss to Brazil all-but confirmed World Cup elimination. When that meek exit was certain, Clarke announced his resignation. Players and supporters alike seem caught between being highly grateful to Clarke for altering Scotland’s fortunes and heralding regime change. In Slovenia, Pocognoli sampled international management for the first time at the age of 39. Slovenia failed to even reach the World Cup, with the rows of empty seats here telling the story of a nation that is not at all convinced by its footballing outlook. The absence of Benjamin Sesko did nothing to help a shot-shy home side.

Scotland could hardly bemoan poor preparation. Pocognoli had whipped his squad and mini army of backroom staff to La Manga in the buildup to this Nations League clash. With a sense of revolution in the air, the manager unleashed a hitherto unseen front two; Robbie Ure was making his debut while Oli McBurnie returned from the wilderness. The opening half only proved there is little point deploying multiple strikers if there is no adequate means of supplying them.

Scotland were awful for 45 minutes. The football was passive and directionless. Players looked well drilled off the ball but descended into a state of panic when in possession. Slovenia, who were little better than ordinary, should have seized upon Scottish shortcomings. To his credit, whatever message Pocognoli forcefully pressed home during the break had impact.

Andraz Sporar had the ball in the net for the hosts in the eighth minute but was flagged offside. Sporar then missed a golden opportunity from six yards after fine work from Danijel Sturm. As Aljosa Matko shanked wide of Angus Gunn’s goal, the Tartan Army’s groans were audible. Except for a Ure shot from 20 yards that clipped a post, Scotland were nonexistent as an attacking force. An overhit Billy Gilmour pass that flew out of play when intended for the Andy Robertson summed things up.

McBurnie should have marked his Scotland return with a goal within five minutes of the restart. The Hull man opted to try to jink around Jan Oblak rather than slam a shot past the goalkeeper. Oblak morphed into Inspector Gadget, stretching out his arms while grounded to pinch the ball from McBurnie’s feet. This triggered Scottish improvement. Gilmour forced a save from Oblak after a one-two with McBurnie. Aaron Hickey could not quite divert a John McGinn corner on target. Oblack had to be sharp to deny Kieron Bowie before doing likewise to McBurnie from a corner.

Bowie’s miss, 12 minutes from time, was in the category of howler. Gilmour, increasingly influential as Scotland dominated, had fed his teammate. Pocognoli was emboldened, sending on Ben Gannon-Doak to replace Hickey. In old money, that represented a winger for a full back.

Scotland huffed, puffed, pushed and wheezed. Slovenia stood firm. Pocognoli nodded with approval as the whistle blew. Next up, a sterner test at home against Switzerland.