Scotland 0 Slovenia 0: Pocognoli era begins with point as Scots fail to take chances

Scotland will feel disappointed not to come away with victory as they kicked off their Nations League campaign under new boss Sebastien Pocognoli with a 0-0 draw away to Slovenia.

Debutant Robbie Ure came closest for the Scots in a dreary first half when he hit the post shortly before the interval.

But it was a much-improved performance after the break and Jan Oblak was forced into a number of saves with Oli McBurnie, Billy Gilmour and Kieron Bowie all coming close.

Pocognoli made five changes to the side that last took to the pitch in the 3-0 defeat Brazil at the World Cup.

There were debuts for Ure and Stephen Welsh while McBurnie returned to the starting line-up for the first time in five years.

The Scots were given a major warning of hosts’ threat when Andraz Sporar found space in the box and rifled a shot into the top corner, but his celebrations were cut short by the assistant’s flag for offside.

Slovenia continued to dominate the early stages and they once again got in behind the Scottish defence with Sporar firing wide from close range from Danijel Strum’s teasing delivery.

Scotland had yet to register a shot in the opening half hour as Slovenia continued to threaten. Vanja Drkusic clattered a header off the post in their latest flurry forward.

The visitors first real sight of goal came only a few minutes before half-time as Aaron Hickey’s shot was blocked after some good build-up play from Pocognoli’s men.

Ure then engineered space on the edge of the box and fired a shot off the post just moments later as the Scots grew in more confidence.

And they showed more promise after the break.

McBurnie waltzed his way through on goal but couldn’t find the finishing touch as he tried to take the ball past the experienced goalkeeper Jan Oblak who thwarted the Hull City striker.

Then he linked up well with Gilmour just before the hour mark. The Napoli midfielder played a lovely one-two to create space but his shot was dealt with comfortably by Oblak.

Ure, who showed up well in his first start, was replaced Kieron Bowie on 66 minutes and the Sassuolo striker came close forcing a decent save out of Oblak after being played in by Welsh.

Scotland were continuing to create more chances and Gilmour found Bowie in space at the edge of the box but he dragged his shot wide.

Next up for Scotland it’s Switzerland on Tuesday at Hampden.