Pocognoli includes McTominay in Scotland's five-player leadership group

Scotland head coach Sebastien Pocognoli has revealed that Scott McTominay is part of a five-player leadership group tasked with helping put his instructions into practice on the pitch. According to BBC Sport, the Belgian said the quality and commitment of Scotland's senior players had been an important factor in his decision to take charge of the national team.

Watch the highlights:

McTominay has joined Pocognoli's squad after missing the coach's opening four-match Nations League camp. The 29-year-old Napoli midfielder is back playing following a minor heart procedure, the BBC reported. Pocognoli welcomed his return and described him as an important influence, saying he had arrived at the camp smiling. The coach identified him as one of the players he will rely on to help translate the staff's work into performances.

Pocognoli linked that approach to his experience at Union Saint-Gilloise, where he led the club to its first Belgian title in 90 years. He said strong leaders had been central to that success and argued that players must help coaches maintain standards. His comments presented leadership as a shared responsibility within the squad, with several experienced figures supporting the work of the coaching staff.

Captain Andy Robertson is another of the players Pocognoli singled out for praise. The Scotland boss welcomed the Tottenham Hotspur left-back's approaching milestone of 102 international appearances, which would draw him level with Kenny Dalglish. He also stressed Robertson's qualities as a leader, alongside his appreciation of the wider group of players committed to representing their country.

Scotland's results during Pocognoli's first camp were mixed. They drew with Slovenia, lost to Switzerland and beat North Macedonia before losing the return match at home to Slovenia. Those results left Scotland third in Nations League Group B1, behind Switzerland and Slovenia, with promotion uncertain. Pocognoli said each of those four matches had taught him something about the team.

The coach said he knows where improvement is required but highlighted the limited preparation time available in international football, describing a window of just two days before a game. He called on players to use the current camp to impress him and improve, while his leadership group helps carry the coaching staff's standards onto the field.