There is something quietly intriguing about the start of a new managerial reign. The tactical habits, the preferred personnel, the language used in press conferences — all of it amounts to a set of clues that supporters and pundits piece together before a ball has even been kicked. For Scotland fans, that process is well under way as Sébastien Pocognoli prepares to take charge of his first competitive match on Saturday afternoon, a Nations League fixture away to Slovenia in Ljubljana, kicking off at 14:00 BST and live on the BBC.

The Belgian arrives with a clear philosophical identity. During his time managing Union Saint-Gilloise and Monaco, Pocognoli leaned heavily on a 3-4-2-1 shape and its variations — a structure that demands wing-backs with stamina and intelligence in spades, and central forwards willing to press relentlessly. Scotland's squad, as currently constituted, has the raw material to accommodate that system, though fitting the pieces together is far from straightforward.

The back three conundrum

Five centre-backs have been named in the squad, which gives Pocognoli options but also decisions he cannot avoid. Jack Hendry and Scott McKenna represent the experienced core, both survivors from Steve Clarke's tenure and both physically suited to the aggressive, high-line defending Pocognoli favours. It would be a considerable surprise were either to start on the bench.

That leaves the third berth open. Stephen Welsh of Swansea City, Stoke City's Luke Graham and Brøndby captain Luis Binks are the candidates. Welsh is right-footed, which could prove decisive if Scotland want natural balance across the back three. Graham, however, has been operating on the left of a defensive trio at club level, which might allow McKenna to slide into the centre and push Hendry to the right. The answer likely hinges on how Pocognoli wants to structure his press and where he sees the primary defensive threat coming from Slovenia.

Width without wingers?

Andy Robertson, poised to win his 98th cap, is a certainty at left wing-back. Aaron Hickey appears the natural fit on the opposite flank. Both are capable of providing the width Pocognoli's system demands — which raises the question of where Scotland's attacking wide players fit in.

Ben Gannon-Doak has been a consistent threat under the previous regime, while Josh McPake has caught the eye for Hearts. But Pocognoli's preferred formation typically uses two narrower attackers supporting the centre-forward rather than traditional wingers hugging the touchline. John McGinn looks a strong candidate for one of those inside forward roles, given his goal threat, experience and pressing intensity. Ryan Christie, relentless without the ball and technically sharp, could be another candidate — assuming Scotland field two holding midfielders from their options, with Lewis Ferguson and Billy Gilmour the most likely partnership in the engine room.

Whether Gannon-Doak or McPake can adapt to a more central, disciplined role when Scotland are out of possession remains one of the more intriguing subplots heading into Saturday.

A striker with a point to prove

Up front, Pocognoli has three options in Kieron Bowie, Robbie Ure and Oli McBurnie, each with a credible case. Ure's move to Sevilla on the back of his exploits in Sweden is the kind of story that catches the eye, and he faced Barcelona only last week. McBurnie, meanwhile, is contributing well for Hull City and arrives having scored 19 goals in their promotion charge last season.

Yet McBurnie's international record — 16 caps and a long spell in the wilderness — makes him a divisive figure among the Tartan Army. Starting him would represent a conscious statement of intent from Pocognoli: that this is a genuinely clean slate, and past reputations count for little. That sort of boldness, expressed through a selection rather than a speech, is often what defines a new manager's opening chapter.

Scotland travel to Ljubljana as a side in transition, with a coach still unknown to most of the supporters in the stands. By full-time on Saturday, the picture should be considerably clearer.

FAQs

Frequently asked

What time does Slovenia v Scotland kick off on Saturday?
Slovenia v Scotland kicks off at 14:00 BST on Saturday 26 September, and is available to watch live on BBC iPlayer and listen to on BBC Sounds.
What formation is Sébastien Pocognoli likely to use for Scotland?
Based on his previous managerial stints at Union Saint-Gilloise and Monaco, Pocognoli is expected to favour a 3-4-2-1 formation or a close variation of it, using wing-backs for width and two narrower attackers supporting a centre-forward.
Who is in Scotland's squad for the Nations League match against Slovenia?
Pocognoli named eight uncapped players in his first squad. Among the established names are Andy Robertson, Jack Hendry, Scott McKenna, John McGinn, Billy Gilmour, Lewis Ferguson and Ryan Christie, with Oli McBurnie, Kieron Bowie and Robbie Ure competing for the striker's role.