New Scotland manager Sebastien Pocognoli told Sky Sports that a change was needed and that he sees a “good mix” in his inaugural squad.
The Belgian will meet his players for the first time this week, training under the La Manga sun before the Nations League opening match versus Slovenia.
His initial squad included five players receiving their first full Scotland call‑up, and Blackburn Rovers midfielder Kristi Montgomery was added after Kieran Tierney and Kenny McLean withdrew.
Five <a s first Scotland squad
The extended international break, featuring four Nations League games, provides the new boss extra time with his squad as he aims to make his mark as Steve Clarke’s successor.
“We have plenty of experience in the team, there are some new faces and young lads, and I think we have a good mix,” Pocognoli told Sky Sports News.
“We need to make sure that the balance stays right, and to keep what makes the Scotland team really strong, it was the cohesion and really proper DNA in the team, and this needs to stay.
“The needed change was at this moment, because we follow the timelines, and the change is just about the things that we want to create on the pitch.
“It’s also performance in your club, injury, and at the same time you need to make the change.
“What was provided in the past is massive to use for the future.
“It’s to find the right balance, so the experienced players will be important to continue to take care of this, and from the coaching staff point of view, we need to be aligned about what we want to achieve together.
“I want to see a team who are just really together; it’s quite basic: attack together, defend together, but that’s part of the Scotland mentality.”
Pocognoli’s tenure officially begins in Ljubljana on Saturday, followed by a match against Switzerland at Hampden Park three days later.
The team will travel to North Macedonia on October 3 and then return to Glasgow for a second encounter with Slovenia on October 6.
Scotland were demoted from Nations League A after a play‑off defeat by Greece last year and return to the second tier for this year’s competition.
“There are many ways to be successful,” the 39‑year‑old added.
“For me, in the Nations League, it’s to stay competitive and try to be as much as <a But just to recognise some principles on the pitch, recognise who the leaders are on the pitch, see some young lads playing, see team cohesion on the pitch.
“Also, to get the supporters excited. If we can combine with the result, and that’s why we do this job, I would be really happy.”
Scotland squad in full:
Goalkeepers: Scott Bain (Falkirk), Angus Gunn (San Jose Earthquakes), Liam Kelly (Rangers), Jon McCracken (Bradford City)
Defenders: Luis Binks (Brondby), Josh Doig (Sassuolo), Colby Donovan (Celtic), Luke Graham (Stoke City), Jack Hendry (Al‑Ettifaq), Aaron Hickey (Brentford), Scott McKenna (Dinamo Zagreb), Nathan Patterson (Torino), Andy Robertson (Tottenham), Stephen Welsh (Swansea City)
Midfielders: Ryan Christie (Bournemouth), Lewis Ferguson (Bologna), Billy Gilmour (Napoli), John McGinn (Aston Villa), Josh McPake (Hearts), Lennon Miller (Udinese), Kristi Montgomery (Blackburn Rovers)
Forwards: Kieron Bowie (Sassuolo), Findlay Curtis (Rangers), Ben Gannon‑Doak (Bournemouth), Oli McBurnie (Hull City), Robbie Ure (Sevilla), James Wilson (Hearts)
