Graham & Ure make Pocognoli’s first Scotland squad

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Graham & Ure make Pocognoli’s first Scotland squad

ByAmy Canavan

BBC Sport Scotland
  • Published

Stoke City centre-half Luke Graham and Sevilla striker Robbie Ure will receive their first full Scotland call-ups on Tuesday when Sebastien Pocognoli names his first squad as head coach.

Graham was part of Scotland’s pre-World Cup training camp in May after a breakthrough campaign with Dundee, winning the Scottish Premiership club’s players’ player and young player of the year awards.

The 22-year-old was an unused substitute in the country’s send-off friendly win against Curacao, which was also Steve Clarke’s last game in the dugout at Hampden Park.

The defender, who has three caps at under-21 level, has started strongly for The Potters in the Championship, who are unbeaten in their last four games, with Graham an ever-present.

Former Rangers academy product Ure was in demand across Europe after a free-scoring spell – 20 goals and three assists in 20 matches – that took Sirius to the top of the table in Sweden and it resulted in a £5.5m summer transfer to La Liga with Sevilla.

Ure, also 22, has yet to find the target in Spain, but given his eligibility for Ukraine, the new head coach appears tempted to tie him down as soon as possible as he is set to be named in the Belgian’s squad when it will be announced at 11:00 (BST).

Since Poconogli was announced as Clarke’s successor – after the former Kilmarnock manager resigned after the Scots failed to qualify for the knockout stages of a major tournament for the first time – the expectation has been that the Belgian will look to freshen up an ageing squad.

His countryman, Heart of Midlothian head coach Wouter Vrancken, is “confident” there will also be a few players from the Gorgie club included.

His front three of striker James Wilson and wingers Calvin Miller and Josh McPake have been receiving plaudits for their recent performances.

Former Scotland captain Scott Brown too has high hopes for the Hearts wingers who have heavily contributed to their side’s strong start to the season.

Pocognoli will take charge of Scotland for the first time on Saturday, 26 September in the Scots’ Nations League B opener against Slovenia and his debut in the Hampden dugout will be three days later against Switzerland.

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