Sebastien Pocognoli reveals why he gave one Scotland player a pep talk - 'he needs some love from us'

Sebastien Pocognoli has delivered a pep talk to Ben Gannon-Doak to reassure the winger that he can play a key part in his Scotland revolution.

However, the new Scotland manager has warned players they must perform regularly for their club sides by Spring if they want an active part in the opening games of the European Championship qualifying campaign.

Pocognoli is confident that Gannon-Doak will begin to enjoy more playing time in the coming weeks at Bournemouth. The 20-year-old has started only one match this season – against Lincoln City in the League Cup.

Scotland head coach Sebastien Pocognoli addresses his players during a training session at Hampden on Monday. (Photo by Craig Foy / SNS Group) | SNS Group

Pocognoli’s preferred formation is 3-4-1-2, which many view as an obstacle to Gannon-Doak being handed an extended run in the team. Scotland started with Andy Robertson and Aaron Hickey in the wing-back positions in the Belgian manager’s first match in charge against Slovenia on Saturday.

It is expected Robertson and Hickey will occupy these same positions when Pocognoli takes his Hampden bow against Switzerland on Tuesday night.

Gannon-Doak made a belated 13-minute appearance in Ljubljana after replacing Hickey and caught the eye. Pocognoli took the winger aside at Hampden on Monday.

“I spoke with Ben today because he wants to play and he will maybe play tomorrow,” he said. “But I just wanted to make sure (he is OK)…because it is hard for him if he is not playing (for Bournemouth) and then he comes here and he doesn’t play the first game.

“He needs some love from us and then go back to Bournemouth and smash it!” he added. “I hope the camp can help players who do not play a lot of minutes to go back to their club in a good frame of mind.”

One criticism levelled at Steve Clarke, Pocognoli’s predecessor, was that he was too loyal to some players - even if they were not playing week in, week out for their clubs. Clarke did, though, always make the point that being sidelined is less of an issue early in the season, when fitness levels are still good following pre-season. An extended spell out of the team is harder to overcome in November and certainly in March, when the international schedule resumes. Pocognoli is of the same view.

Ben Gannon-Doak during a Scotland training session at Hampden on Monday. (Photo by Craig Foy / SNS Group) | SNS Group

“Ben will get the games because Bournemouth have the Europa League coming,” he said. “He will play, he will get time.

“What concerns me is when March comes,” he added. “If the players aren’t playing a lot then we will struggle with the physical aspects of the game. The demands are massive. Right now it is okay because it is after pre-season. In November we will see. But we need to have players who have played.”

Pocognoli has stressed that he cannot make the players' choices for them. It is up to them who they join and how long they stay, even if opportunities to play are limited. At bigger clubs it has long been a squad game, something Billy Gilmour, Scotland’s key man against Slovenia, is learning.

"I need to make sure that he finds his smile on the pitch, and he was smiling after the game,” said Pocognoli.

"I saw the Billy from Brighton in Slovenia. At Napoli it is a little bit different, it is more about thinking off the ball. But when he can play, he is smiling. He will make mistakes, he may play (some) bad passes against Slovenia. But he has to take the risks to see his qualities.”