Sebastian Pocognoli's early honeymoon period as Scotland manager has come to an abrupt end following a chastening 3-0 defeat to Switzerland at Hampden Park, a result that has prompted serious questions about the direction of the national side.
The game turned decisively in the first half when defender Jack Hendry was shown a red card, leaving Scotland to play the majority of the match a man down against quality opposition. While the dismissal undoubtedly shaped the course of the contest, pundits assessing the performance on BBC Radio Scotland's podcast were reluctant to attribute the scale of the defeat entirely to the sending-off, suggesting instead that it exposed problems that have been simmering for some time.
Analysts David Currie, Rory Loy and Stephen McGowan used the platform to dig into what they see as recurring issues under the new manager, including a lack of goals, a shortage of clean sheets, and several senior players struggling to rediscover their best form. These are not new complaints for Scotland, but the manner of the loss to the Swiss has brought them back into sharp focus just as Pocognoli looks to establish his own identity in the role.
One of the more pointed topics of discussion centred on John McGinn, long regarded as one of Scotland's most influential midfielders. The panel raised concerns over his current contribution to the side, questioning whether he is still delivering the kind of performances that once made him indispensable to the national team setup. It's a sensitive subject given McGinn's standing with supporters, but the commentators felt it could no longer be avoided given the team's broader struggles.
Not everything from the Hampden defeat was viewed negatively, however. Striker Oli McBurnie was singled out as one of the few positives to emerge from the evening, with his display offering a rare bright spot amid an otherwise difficult night for the home side. His performance was seen as evidence that there remains talent and endeavour within the squad, even if the collective results have not matched expectations.
Attention has now turned to what comes next for Pocognoli, with the panel debating how much patience he can expect to be afforded following such a heavy loss. Managerial tenures in international football can be judged quickly, and defeats of this nature often intensify scrutiny on a new head coach, particularly one still trying to implement his own style and philosophy. The consensus among the pundits appeared to be that time remains a valuable but finite commodity, and results in the coming fixtures will play a significant role in shaping perceptions of his reign.
That brings added significance to Scotland's upcoming meeting with North Macedonia, which the podcast panel framed as a pivotal fixture. There was debate over whether the match should be viewed simply as another opportunity to build momentum, or as something closer to a must-win encounter given the pressure now building after the Switzerland result. With qualification ambitions and public confidence both potentially at stake, the North Macedonia game looks set to be an early litmus test of whether Pocognoli's Scotland can respond to adversity.
For now, the mood around the national team has shifted from cautious optimism to guarded concern, with fans and analysts alike waiting to see how the manager and his players respond to their first real setback of this new era.
Based on reporting from BBC Sport Football (BBC Radio Scotland podcast).