Pocognoli warns Scottish Premiership lacks homegrown players

Scotland manager Sebastien Pocognoli says the Premiership lacks Scottish players at its biggest clubs.

Of the 26 players he first selected for Nations League matches against North Macedonia and Switzerland, only six play in Scotland’s top division.

Pocognoli says regular football at top clubs, including in European competitions, can help players prepare for international football.

He is concerned that young Scottish players get too few chances compared with players in Belgium, France and Germany.

At a summit attended by all 42 clubs, SFA chief football officer Craig Mulholland put forward two proposals to require more opportunities for emerging players in league and cup matches.

Pocognoli also follows young players in Scotland’s lower divisions and pointed to Celtic’s Colby Donovan as a promising example.

He hopes clubs will give more young Scots playing time, so the national team can benefit in future.