Hampden debut to forget, but Pocognoli looks at bigger picture

What the report says

Scotland manager Sebastien Pocognoli said he hopes his first match at Hampden will be seen differently in time after his side fell to a 3-0 defeat by Switzerland in Nations League play. The result came only days after Scotland had drawn 0-0 in Ljubljana in Pocognoli’s opening game in charge. The loss left Scotland third in their group after two matches.

The game changed early when defender Jack Hendry was sent off in the 11th minute, forcing Scotland to abandon the more aggressive, high-press style Pocognoli has been trying to install. Ricardo Rodriguez scored from the resulting free-kick, and Switzerland stayed in control throughout. Nico Elvedi and Zeki Amdouni added second-half goals. Scotland have now gone eight home matches without a clean sheet and have failed to score in six of their nine games this year, according to BBC Sport.

Pocognoli, appointed as Steve Clarke’s successor in August, said the team did its best in difficult circumstances and that the focus now must be on responding in the next match. Captain Andy Robertson also said the plan had been disrupted by the red card and that the squad needs to remain positive. Scotland travel to North Macedonia on Saturday before facing Slovenia again next Tuesday.