Podcast: Time for first Hampden win for Pocognoli's Scotland?

What the report says

BBC Sport Football’s Scottish Football Podcast looked ahead to Scotland’s home meeting with Slovenia at Hampden Park, using the team’s recent win over North Macedonia in Skopje as the main point of reference. The episode asks whether Scotland can turn that result into their first home victory under new manager Sebastian Pocognoli.

The discussion centres on Pocognoli’s early weeks in charge and the tactical direction he has introduced, including a more aggressive pressing style. The presenters also assess whether players such as Ben Gannon-Doak and Kieron Bowie are becoming more influential, and whether the coach is close to settling on a preferred starting XI.

Another focus is the competition for the centre-forward role, with several players in contention and the selection debate described as one of the most interesting in the squad. Slovenia’s threat is also reviewed, especially because the teams have already met in a goalless draw in Ljubljana.

More broadly, the podcast considers what a strong start to the campaign could mean for Scotland’s momentum and for support around the team at Hampden. Background context: Scotland have been trying to establish a clearer identity under a new manager, and this fixture is presented as an early test of whether those changes are taking hold.