New Scotland head coach Edward Pocognoli has announced his first squad since taking over the national side, with the selection set to be revealed at 11:00 BST. Among the notable inclusions are Graham and Ure, the latter a 22-year-old yet to score in Spain but eligible to represent Ukraine, a factor believed to have accelerated the Belgian's decision to bring him into the fold early.
Pocognoli's appointment followed the resignation of former Kilmarnock manager Steve Clarke, who stepped down after Scotland failed to progress beyond the group stage of a major tournament for the first time under his stewardship. Since then, speculation has centred on how the incoming coach might reshape a squad many observers felt was ageing and in need of new blood.
That expectation appears to be materialising, with reports suggesting several players from Heart of Midlothian could feature prominently in the new-look squad. Hearts head coach Wouter Vrancken, a fellow Belgian, expressed confidence that a handful of his players would earn call-ups, pointing to the strong form of his attacking trio this season.
Striker James Wilson and wingers Calvin Miller and Josh McPake have been central to Hearts' impressive start to the campaign, drawing praise from pundits and figures within the Scottish game. Former Scotland captain Scott Brown has also spoken highly of the pair of wingers, suggesting their contributions to Hearts' resurgence make them strong candidates for international recognition.
Pocognoli's first assignment in charge comes on Saturday, 26 September, when Scotland open their Nations League B campaign away to Slovenia. Three days later, on 29 September, the Belgian will take charge of his first match at Hampden Park, welcoming Switzerland to Glasgow. Both fixtures will offer an early indication of how the new manager intends to set up his side and which of the fresh faces in his squad will be given opportunities to establish themselves at international level.
The timing of the squad announcement, alongside the inclusion of uncapped or fringe players, signals a clear intent from Pocognoli to build his own identity as Scotland begin a new chapter following Clarke's departure. The former Kilmarnock boss had overseen a period in which Scotland qualified for consecutive major tournaments, but the failure to advance past the group stages proved to be the final straw, prompting his exit and paving the way for the Belgian's arrival.
With Vrancken's endorsement of his Hearts players and the broader sense that changes are coming to the national team setup, attention will now turn to how the newcomers integrate alongside more experienced squad members. The Slovenia and Switzerland fixtures will provide the first concrete evidence of Pocognoli's tactical approach and his vision for the squad going forward, as Scotland look to rebuild momentum following a disappointing tournament exit under the previous regime.
Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see whether the inclusion of players like Ure, along with the Hearts contingent, translates into positive results as the new coaching era gets under way this September.
Based on reporting from BBC Sport Football.