Slovenia 0-0 Scotland: Nations League – as it happened

4.38pm BST

Sebastien Pocognoli: "We can take this positively" “I think we had two games in the same game, but you can analyse in a positive way both of them,” said Scotland’s new head coach in an interview with the BBC. “First half, was not what we expected in terms of structure. We were in between for the press, actually we were a little bit surprised about the formation of Slovenia, but at half-time we fixed this and you can see that the second half was much better.

“We produced what we wanted to show every minute, but first half we learned to stick together, to defend the box, to be resilient and to be patient to change the game. We were also challenging at set-pieces. After five minutes, we had many set-pieces to defend in, so that’s the positive way to look at the first half. It was not always positive, but in the second half we had a game on the ball against a low block.

“So we had a lot of good movement through the side, through the lines and we should have scored to be honest. But the counter-press was good, the high [line] of the defence was good because the position of the players was better. Clean sheet, that’s also positive but we want to win. I think we can take this positively.”

4.35pm BST

Match report: Slovenia 0-0 Scotland Nations League Group B1: While they may not have won, under blue skies in a dainty stadium in Ljubljana, Scotland put on a second half display that provided glimpses of optimism in respect of their world post-Steve Clarke. Ewan Murray reports from Stadion Sozice …

Related: Pocognoli’s reign as Scotland coach begins with stalemate in Slovenia

4.30pm BST

Billy Gilmour: “Yeah, the two halves were totally different,” says Scotland’s stand-out player. “I think in the first half we were still getting to grips with the situations off the ball and on the ball, but the second half is a good performance. Obviously, you need to score. We’ve had great chances. We never took them, but it’s definitely something to build on.

“I mean, we’re walking off gutted that we never scored, but in the second half it was really good. We came out in the second half, we were right at it. We stayed up there, we were putting pressure on them, creating chances and the final part just never came. Of course we’re disappointed, we created enough chances to maybe take the game, but yeah, we came off having given it all. I’m really happy to be back with the boys, I missed them.”

4.22pm BST

Stephen Welsh: “I thought we struggled to get into the game first half, but second half we completely dominated the game,” says the Scotland defender in an interview with the BBC. “They’ve got a top goalie who made really good saves. So many positives to take and a clean sheet as well. We changed shape a wee bit at half-time to get more control and that did really well for us. It’s a big game again on Tuesday so it’s important to recover now and go again.”

On being a right-footer playing on the left side of a back three: “I’ve played on the left-hand side for a couple of years now, so I’m comfortable doing that,” he says. “We’ve had a great week. A new manager, new way of playing and new faces in camp. It’s just the chances we need to take - the fact we’re creating the chances stands us in good stead.”

4.18pm BST

Next up for Scotland: Sebastien Pocognoli’s side face Switzerland in Hampden Park on Tuesday.

4.01pm BST

Oli McBurnie: "I'm not going to be able to sleep tonight" “It took us a little bit of getting used to in the first half, the new formation and the way the gaffer wanted to play,” says the Scotland striker in an interview with the BBC. “I thought once we did, we looked really good. We created enough chances to kill the game and we’re really disappointed we didn’t get the three points. I think I’ve got to score and a couple of the other lads as well. So yeah, disappointing but a good start under the new manager, I think.

“I was asked to play a different position today and I quite enjoyed it. I enjoy the manager’\s ideas and we’ve had some good chats. I think it suited me in there but I’m not going to be bale to sleep tonight with them chances. It’s a tough one but I’d rather be getting in the positions than not getting the chances. Hopefully I can get another chance in the next game and put it to bed.”

3.56pm BST

Full time: Slovenia 0-0 Scotland The spoils are shared and the deadlock remains intact in Ljubljana, where it was very much a game of two halves. Scotland were lucky not to be a goal or two down at half-time, but were hugely dominant in the second period.

Oli McBurnie and Kieron Bowie both missed excellent chances, while the Hull City striker also brought an excellent save out of Jan Oblak. It’s not a bad result for either team but Scotland will feel they should have won.

Updated at 4.24pm BST

3.53pm BST

90+2 min: It’s all over in Slovenia, where Scotland have been held by their hosts.

3.52pm BST

90+1 min: A Ben Gannon Doak cross into the Slovenia penalty area is headed clear.

3.51pm BST

90 min: We’re only going to have two minutes of added time. You won’t hear any complaints from me but then, I’m not Scottish.

3.49pm BST

89 min: John McGinn floats the free-kick high towards the far post. Oblak comes for it and plucks it cleanly from the air on this occasion.

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88 min: Scotland keep plugging away but Lewis Ferguson plays a poor cross that’s put out for a throw-in. John McGinn wins a free-kick.

3.46pm BST

85 min: Scotland have completely dominated this second half but missed two terrific chances that were squandered by McBurnie and Bowie. As the clock ticks on, can they find a late winner?

3.45pm BST

83 min: Robertson curls the ball into the mixer, where Oblak comes for it but doesn’t get it. Scotland recycle the ball and Stephen Welsh lashes the ball over the bar from distance. BOwie flung himself to the ground in the penalty area as the cross came in, claiming to have been fouled by Zabukovnik. Reader, he wasn’t.

3.42pm BST

81 min: Into the final 10 minutes we go and Slovenia have made another substitution: Lovric for Cerin. McBurnie has a shot blocked and Zarnicek is booked for a foul on Robertson. Free-kick for Scotland, wide on the left.

3.40pm BST

79 min: Ben Gannon Doak is on for Hickey and immediately gets involved. He stands the ball up at the far post with a cross from the right but it’s cleared.

3.38pm BST

78 min: Crikey! Bowie misses a sitter, latching on to a Gilmour pass and curling a shot wide of the upright from 12 yards out with only Oblak to beat and the goal at his mercy. It’s an awful miss.

3.37pm BST

77 min: Bowie has looked lively since coming on and now forces Oblak to cough up a cheap throw-in for Scotland with an undustrious press.

3.36pm BST

75 min: Slovenian double-substitution: Vipotnic and Balkovec on for Sporar and Brekalo.

3.34pm BST

73 min: Ferguson’s delivery is sublime and met by the head of McBurnie, whose header brings a reflex save out of Oblak from point-black range. Scotland are not so much knocking on the door as trying to kick it open.

Updated at 3.55pm BST

3.33pm BST

72 min: Lewis Ferguson tries his luck with a pot-shot from distance but his effort is blocked. Moments later, Stephen Welsh picks out Bowie with a terrific slide-rule pass. The substitute is unable to lift the ball over Oblak, who puts it out for a corner.

3.31pm BST

70 min: Kieron Bowie chops inside a defender and sends a low shot straight at Oblak. The susbtitute kicks out in frsutration at a divot as he too glares accusingly at the cut-up pitch.

3.29pm BST

66 min: Kieron Bowie is on for Robbie Ure and Scotland have another corner. McGinn’s delivery is excellent and met by Aaron Hickey. He sends his header drifting narrowly wide of the far post.

3.25pm BST

64 min: Scotland finally win a corner and have to wait to take it as Slovenia make a double-substitution. Zec and Zabukovnik come on for Drkusij and Elsnik. Nothing comes of the set-piece.

3.23pm BST

62 min: McBurnie connects with a McGinn cross and his header goes over the bar off the head of David Brekalo. Slovenia are awarded a goal-kick, much to McBurnie’s disgust. Scotland’s wait for a first corner goes on.

3.21pm BST

61 min: Ure latches on to a first-time pass from GIlmour and wins a corner for Scotland, their first of the match. Actually it isn’t – the Sevilla man was offside.

3.20pm BST

59 min: Gilmour and McBurnie combine to good effect on the edge of the Slovenia penalty area but the Napoli midfielder’s low shot doesn’t trouble Oblak, who gets down to save comfortably.

3.19pm BST

59 min: Scotland have been much improved in this second half but with their high line, still look extremely vulnerable to counter-attacks.

3.18pm BST

56 min: John McGinn is clattered by Adam Cerin and wins a free-kick near the centre-circle in the Slovenia half. Lewis Ferguson lofts the ball into the penalty area, where Oblak comes for it and doesn’t get it. Stephen Welsh tries to lob the loose ball towards the vacant goal but Vanja Drkusic heads it away and wins a free-kick.

3.15pm BST

54 min: McGinn tries to stand the ball up for McBurnie near the byline and the Scotland striker leaps to contest it with Oblak. The Slovenian looked to have carried it wide for a corner but wins a free-kick because an outfield player had the audacity to jump in the same postal district as him. Goalkeepers, eh?

3.13pm BST

51 min: Oof! Oli McBurnie is played in behind the Slovenia defence and finds himself in a one-on-one with Oblak. The Slovenia goalkeeper’s legs are gaping and you could drive a bus between them, but McBurnie tries to take the ball around him instead of going for the nutmeg. Oblak almost certainly can’t believe his luck as he plucks the ball off the Scottish striker’s toe.

Updated at 3.53pm BST

3.10pm BST

50 min: Scotland have started the second half on the front foot but are struggling to create anything much in the way an opening. They’re playing with a high line today but their wing-backs Robertson and Aaron Hickey are struggling to have any sort of impact on the game.

3.08pm BST

46 min: John McGinn spins his man, gallops up the right flank and plays the ball inside to Billy Gilmour. His pass wide to Andy Robertson takes a massive bobble off the poor surface and the Scottish captain is unable to control the ball.

3.06pm BST

Second half: Slovenia 0-0 Scotland 46 min: Scotland get the ball rolling, with no changes in personnel on either side and the sound of bagpipes audible in the Ljubljana air.

2.52pm BST

Half-time: Slovenia 0-0 Scotland Peeeeeeeep! It’s scoreless at the break although both teams have hit the woodwork. Scotland finished the half with something of a flourish but were poor for the first 40 minutes. The Slovenian trio of Matko, Sturm and Sporar have caused Scotland’s defence all manner of problems and will rue their missed chances during a long period of first-half dominance.

2.49pm BST

45 min: Another excellent pass from McGinn and Robbie Ure’s low daisy-cutter from distance hits the foot of the right post. Much, much better from Scotland.

2.48pm BST

43 min: An excellent pass from John McGinn sends Robbie Ure on his way down the left and his cross drops at the feet of McBurnie whose back is to goal. He tees up Hickey, whose shot is blocked.

Updated at 3.02pm BST

2.46pm BST

42 min: Andraz Sporar wins a free-kick wide on the left after the referee unfairly judges Aaron Hickey to have fouled him as the pair contested a 50-50 ball. Nothing comes of it.

2.44pm BST

40 min: We’re approaching half-time and Scotland have yet to have a shot on or off-target. They’ve had one touch of the ball in the Slovenia penalty area.

2.43pm BST

37 min: Gunn races off his line to collect a free-kick but gets nowhere near it. His blushes are spared by the linesman’s offside flag. The pitch at the Sozice Stadium is cutting up really badly.

2.40pm BST

35 min: On the advice of the fourth official, Andy Robertson is penalised for some sort of off-the-ball incident he got embroiled in with Zarnicek. I’m not sure what he’s supposed to have done and judging by his reaction, neither is he.

2.38pm BST

34 min: Scotland get forward again but are having trouble getting long balls to stick upfield. I suspect Oli McBurnie will not be pleased with his own contribution in this first half, after five years out of his naitonal side. His hold-up play has been poor on the few occasions the ball has come his way.

2.37pm BST

31 min: Slovenia corner. Vanja Drkusic connects with the inswinger at the near post and hits the outside of said upright. It was a decent effort from a tricky position.

2.35pm BST

30 min: It hasn’t been the most exciting of football matches thus far but the lively Aljosa Matko gets the locals off their seats with a wild shot from a tight angle that goes harmlessly wide.

2.32pm BST

27 min: Jack Hendry puts the ball out for a corner under pressure from Sturm. I think he was trying to pass the ball back to Gunn, but his delivery was dreadful. The Scotland defender casts an accusatory glance in the direction of the pitch and nothing comes of the set-piece, which is overhit.

2.29pm BST

26 min: Gunn goes Route One, booting the ball long and far down the middle. Slovenia win the header.

2.28pm BST

24 min: Matko gets on the ball down the right flank again, pouncing on a misplaced Gilmour pass. Slovenia work the ball across to the other side of the pitch but are forced backwards by Scotland.

Updated at 2.29pm BST

2.26pm BST

22 min: Scotland have got a foothold in the game after being dominated early doors but have yet to fanshion anything resembling a scoring chance. On another day, Slovenia could be 2-0 up already.

2.24pm BST

19 min: McBurnie loses the ball halfway inside his own half but Lewis Ferguson immediately wins possession back for Scotland. Robertson and Gilmour combine down the inside left, trying to find an opening.

2.22pm BST

17 min: Scotland try to play the ball out from the back under a heavy Slovenian press. John McGinn draws a foul from David Brekalo and the visitors get a chance to ease the pressure.

Updated at 2.35pm BST

2.20pm BST

16 min: Slovenia corner. Robbie Ure clears the inswinger with a thumping header at the near post.

2.19pm BST

14 min: Danijel Sturm latches on a toa long diagonal and sends in a low cross from the left. Sporar gets in front of McKenna and somehow steers his effort wide of the far post. That’s an awful miss and a huge let-off for Scotland.

2.16pm BST

11 min: Andy Robertson tries to play Robbie Ure in behind the Slovenian with a weighted pass but overhits his delivery. Slovenia break upfield and Aljosa Matko drills in a low cross in from the right but neither Sporar nor Sturm are able to get on the end of it. Slovenia are looking dangerous, while Scotland look very porous at the back.

2.14pm BST

9 min: Oli McBurnie is penalised for a blatant barge on Drkusic as he jumped to try to connect with a cross from the left. Aaron Hickey’s follow-up shot is blocked but wouldn’t have counted anyway.

2.12pm BST

8 min: Slovenia carve Scotland open and Danijel Sturm converts a cross from the right, arrowing a shot past Angus Gunn from about 12 yards out. The flag goes up!

2.09pm BST

5 min: Angus Gunn advances off his line to grab a cross that Scott McKenna was about to head clear. The Dinjamo Zagreb defender heard the shout from his goalkeeper and left it to him.

2.07pm BST

3 min: John McGinn tries to advance upfield but is held by Slovenia centre-back Vanja Drkusic. The Scottish midfielder appeals for a free-kick but doesn’t get one.

2.06pm BST

3 min: Erik Janza hoys a long throw into the Scotland penalty area, where Angus Gunn leaps to claim the ball at the second time of asking.

2.05pm BST

Slovenia v Scotland is go ... 1 min: Following a coin-toss that couldn’t be conducted until Slovenia defender Jaka Bisol had been summoned to join his captain Jan Oblak, Scotland’s captain Andy Robertson and the referee, the game kicks off. I’m going to hazard a guess that the Leeds defender might be the ref’s Slovenian point of contact out on the pitch because Oblak will be in goal. If you know better, feel free to get in touch and educate me.

Updated at 2.10pm BST

1.59pm BST

Not long now: Led by Romanian referee Horatiu Fasnic and his team of match officials, the teams march out on to the Stadion Sozice sward and line up for the anthems. The players of Scotland are wearing red (well, coral or salmon pink, if you want to be pedantic) shirts, blue shorts and red socks. Kick-off is just a couple of minutes away.

1.38pm BST

1.38pm BST

Sebastien Pocognoli: “We had a good camp, we reached all the aspects that we wanted to reach on the pitch but also off the pitch,” said Scotland’s head coach during his press conference at the Stozice Arena.

“Regarding the first game for Scotland, I’m excited because we want to see what we worked on this week. I’m very curious to see if we can produce this. I hope we are well balanced, well focused and well concentrated in the good moment, but also in the challenging moments.

“The mental aspect to have a first game with a new gaffer, with new ideas, it’s a consideration, the mental aspect. We try to plan the games on the physical aspect, the tactical aspect and on the performance aspect. These will be the last details.”

After today’s game against Slovenia, Scotland are scheduled to play Switzerland at Hampden Park on Tuesday. Following that, they’ll face North Macedonia next Saturday before wrapping up the lengthy internatinoal break with a home game against today’s opponents the following Tuesday.

1.34pm BST

1.31pm BST

Andy Robertson: This isn’t the Scotland skippper’s first Slovenian rodeo, as both he and the home team’s head coach Bostjan Cesar were on the pitch when last these two sides met in 2017. “When the international break comes we always get excited for it,” he said yesterday. “This one’s no different and we look forward to the challenge ahead that we’ve got. It’s been enjoyable. We’ve had a good week. Obviously, the manager’s trying to get his ideas across.

“It’s a really new squad, we’re trying to get to know each other, trying to make sure we keep the values that have worked well for us but also adapting to the new squad and the new characters. It’s been a really important week. I think the manager’s enjoyed it. I think the staff have enjoyed it. It’s all about preparing for the games now. We’ve got four games, which is quite unique. It’s something that we’re all looking forward to.

“We’re going to be tested. Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday, Tuesday is intense when you’re at club level. We’re not really used to that kind of schedule at international level. It’s going to be intense, but at the end of the day, footballers want to play football. I suppose it will be a learning curve for us, but one that we want to learn on the job. We still demand results and we still expect results. It’s up to us to try and produce them.”

1.16pm BST

Scotland: The national team’s unproven head coach represents a potentially shrewd gamble made by an organisation that could do without another embarrassing episode, writes Ewan Murray.

Related: Pocognoli deserves time but Scottish FA must also prove its credentials

1.04pm BST

Slovenia v Scotland line-ups Slovenia (possible 4-4-2): Oblak; Brekalo, Bijol, Drkusic, Janza; Karnicnik, Cerin, Elsnik, Matko; Sturm, Sporar.

Subs: Vidovsek, Leban, Balkovec, Zabukovnik, Kuzmic, Begic, Lovric, Celar, Svetlin, Zec, Vipotnik, Horvat.

Scotland (possible 5-3-2): Gunn; Hickey, McKenna, Hendry, Welsh, Robertson; McGinn, Gilmour, Ferguson; McBurnie, Ure.

Subs: Kelly, Bain, Binks, Doig, Christie, Miller, McPake, Gannon-Doak, Graham, Bowie, Patterson, Montgomery.

1.01pm BST

Oli McBurnie starts for Scotland Scotland: Sebastien Pocognoli picks his first Scotland team and has handed debuts to Swansea City centre-back Stephen Welsh and Sevilla striker Robbie Ure. Oli McBurnie also gets the nod and will make his first appearance for Scotland since March 2021.

12.55pm BST

Early Slovenia team news: The headline story from the home camp is that Benjamin Sesko has withdrawn from their squad. The Manchester United striker has featured in six Manchester United games this season, mainly off the bench, but is suffering from a shin injury.

“I am very sorry that I will have to miss the next matches of the national team,” he posted on Instagram. “I have always played for Slovenia and will always play with heart and pride. The most important thing now is to fully dedicate myself to recovery. “I am already working on getting back on the field as soon as possible and helping the national team and the club again.”

Slovan Bratislava striker Andraz Sporar could lead the Slovenia line in the big man’s absence. Defenders Kenan Bajiric and Marcel Ratnik have also been forced out of the squad with injury. Goalkeeper Jan Oblak will skipper the Slovenia side and is set to earn his 85th international cap.

12.55pm BST

Early Scotland team news: After his omission from Scotland’s World Cup squad caused no end of consternation, Oli McBurnie earns the recall his early-season Premier League performances for Hull City deserve. He is joined by a host of untried talent, including Luis Binks (Brondby), Luke Graham (Stoke City), Luke Graham (Stoke City), Josh McPake (Hearts), Robbie Ure (Sevilla), Colby Donovan (Celtic), John McCracken (Bradford City) and Stephen Welsh (Swansea City).

There is no place in Pocognoli’s squad for World Cup particpants Lyndon Dykes, Ross Stewart, George Hirst, Grant Hanley, John Souttar and Anthony Ralston, while goalkeeper Craig Gordon has retired.

Scott McTominay, Che Adams, Lawrence Shankland are all unavailable through injury, while Kenny McLean and Kieran Tierney also withdrew from the squad earlier this week. Along with McBurnie, Aaron Hickey, Lewis Ferguson, Josh Doig and Kieron Bowie return to the Scotland squad after missing out on World Cup selection.

12.55pm BST

Group B1: Slovenia v Scotland New campaign, new coach, clean slate. Scotland are in Ljubljana to play their Nations League opener under their freshly appointed head coach Sebastien Pocognoli. The former Belgium defender was appointed Steve Clarke’s replacement, following the 63-year-old’s decision to step down in the wake of Scotland’s underwhelming performances at the World Cup and says he is “excited and curious” to learn about his charges.

Pocognoli has introduced eight uncapped players to a squad from which several members of the squad that went to North America have been culled. A full fifteen of the players in the original Scotland squad for this game were not at the World Cup under Clarke. Slovenia have nevewr beaten Scotland in five previous meetings but have drawn their two most recent encounters. This is their head caoch Bostjan Cesar’s fourth game in charge and he is looking for his second win.

The last time Scotland played in Slovenia, a 2-2 draw in October 2017 ended their hopes of qualifying for Russia 2018 and prompted the then coach Gordon Strachan to question Scottish football’s DNA. They have qualified for three major tournaments since and with their qualification for Euro 2028 all but assured before a ball is kicked (caveat: this is Scotland we’re talking about), it will be down to Pocognoli to try to get his team over the historically insurmountable hurdle of getting them past the group stage. Kick-off at Stadion Stozice is at 2pm (BST) but we’ll have team news and build-up in the meantime.