Sebastien Pocognoli will bid for his first Hampden victory at the third attempt when Scotland host North Macedonia on Friday.
The Scotland head coach endured an underwhelming start to his tenure last month by picking up just four points from a possible 12 in the Nations League while losing both of his home openers against Switzerland and Slovenia.
The away performances at least provided some encourgament with a strong second half in the goalless draw against Slovenia in Ljubljana in his first match in charge and a dominant 2-0 win over North Macedonia in Skopje.
However, the 2-1 defeat by Slovenia at Hampden ended his maiden camp on a sour note and raised questions over whether the squad is suited to the manager's preferred system, with Pocognoli using a 3-4-2-1 or 3-4-1-2 formation across his first four games.
The squad has been bolstered by the return of Scott McTominay, Kieran Tierney and Che Adams but defenders Stephen Welsh and Luis Binks have withdrawn and replaced by Ryan Porteous and David Bates, while Scott McKenna is also absent.
Assuming Pocognoli sticks with his preferred set-up, here is our preferred starting XI for the game against North Macedonia at Hampden on Friday, with an away trip to Switzerland to follow on Monday.
5. RWB: Ben Gannon-Doak
The Bournemouth youngster is clearly more suited to playing winger than wing-back, but his pace and trickery is a huge asset to Scotland in the final third. He caused North Macedonia problems in Skopje so it would be no surprise if he was given the nod at Hampden. Has started three Europa League games since the last international camp so should be more match fit than he was at the end of September. | SNS Group
6. LWB: Andy Robertson
The Scotland skipper will equal Kenny Dalglish's 102-cap record against North Macedonia. Will hope to mark the occasion with a positive performance and result to take to Switzerland on Monday where he will become the all-time record holder providing he comes through Friday unscathed. | SNS Group
7. DCM: Billy Gilmour
The Napoli midfielder has started all four matches under Pocognoli thus far and played 327 of a possible 360 minutes across the previous international break. Has a big role to play as the link man between defence and attack with an emphasis on linking play with line-breaking passes. | SNS Group
8. DCM: Lewis Ferguson
While Gilmour will be tasked with getting on the ball and dictating play, Ferguson does his best work off the ball. Covering ground, tracking runs, regaining possession are all traits where the Bologna captain excels in Serie A. The different strengths of Gilmour and Ferguson should, in theory, give Scotland balance in the midfield holding roles. | SNS Group