The dawn of the Sébastien Pocognoli era is upon us, and the new Scotland manager is already turning heads by simply showing up. Taking his seat in the stands at Easter Road for this week’s Edinburgh derby, the 39-year-old Belgian was treated to a front-row view of a 3-1 Hearts masterclass over a beleaguered Hibernian side. But while the mainstream headlines focused on Wouter Vrancken’s ultra-cavalier system finally clicking into gear after a shaky start to the campaign, the tactical lens here at Matchwise focuses on a far more compelling narrative: Josh McPake is loudly demanding a national team call-up.
Pocognoli was hired by the SFA with a remit to reach Euro 2028 by injecting life into a stagnant setup. If the new manager is looking for the perfect embodiment of his dynamic, risk-taking philosophy, he need look no further than the 25-year-old tearing down the left flank in Gorgie.
A Winger Reborn in Gorgie
To understand McPake’s current trajectory, you have to appreciate the winding, often frustrating road that brought him to this point. Once viewed as the undisputed crown jewel of the Rangers academy—winning the youth player of the year award back in 2018-19—McPake spent years embarking on a seemingly endless carousel of lower-league loans. Stints at Harrogate, Morecambe, Tranmere, and Queen's Park threatened to label him as a perennial "what-if" prospect.
It was at St. Johnstone under Simo Valakari where the winger finally pieced his undeniable raw talent into a consistent final product, netting 17 times in 46 league appearances. Now at Tynecastle, McPake has elevated his game to another tier entirely. Moving to a bigger club with higher expectations can bury a player who lacks mental fortitude, but McPake has thrived under the intense spotlight of the capital.
Against Hibs on Wednesday night, McPake was the orchestrator of sheer chaos. He terrorised the Hibs defence, providing a brilliant, incisive assist for teenage sensation James Wilson to open the scoring, proving he has the vision to match his pace. But it was his individual strike to seal the game—a bursting solo run that left defenders in his wake before a composed finish deflected in off Grant Hanley—that truly showcased a player operating at the absolute peak of his powers.
The Pocognoli Paradigm Shift
The appointment of Pocognoli represents a massive, necessary ideological pivot for the Scottish national team. Out goes the pragmatic, cautious, and ultimately exhausted approach of the late Steve Clarke era. In comes a young, forward-thinking coach whose philosophy prioritises highly-fluid, high-intensity, vertical-route football. Pocognoli built his reputation at Union SG—delivering their first Belgian title in 90 years—and during his brief stint at Monaco by demanding aggressive transitions and brave ball-carriers.
This is exactly why McPake is no longer just an interesting domestic prospect; he is a tactical necessity for the national side. During the latter stages of Clarke's tenure, Scotland’s squad desperately lacked a player willing to isolate opposing full-backs, hit the byline, and execute under intense pressure. The team became painfully predictable, over-reliant on wing-backs and static target men.
McPake provides the direct, explosive width that a modern, progressive system demands. Hearts boss Wouter Vrancken has challenged McPake to improve his decision-making in the final third, noting that he is already showing he can keep his overview and make the right choices. The winger is answering those questions emphatically, adding nuance to his toolkit and showcasing an ability to keep his head up when arriving in the penalty area.
Time to Gatecrash the Squad?
With the UEFA Nations League triple-header against Slovenia, Switzerland, and North Macedonia looming large this month, Pocognoli is on the verge of naming his first squad. The Tartan Army is clamouring for fresh blood, and the Belgian tactician has a golden opportunity to signal a clean break from the old guard.
Vrancken has already publicly thrown his weight behind his players, cheekily suggesting to the press that he might have to phone his fellow countryman to recommend McPake, alongside Hearts teammates James Wilson and Calvin Miller. While Wilson is a phenomenal young talent who became Scotland's youngest ever player, and Miller has been solid, McPake is the one who feels ready-made for international football right now.
For us at Matchwise, the underlying analytics and the eye test both point in one unified direction. Scotland needs to evolve, and Pocognoli was brought to Hampden Park to rip up the outdated blueprint. If the new manager is truly committed to front-foot, entertaining football, he won't just keep an eye on Josh McPake—he’ll hand him a dark blue jersey. The time for waiting is over.