Sports · Football · 3 hrs ago
Pocognoli backs Gannon-Doak to improve his finishing for Scotland
Scotland coach Sebastien Pocognoli says 21-year-old winger Ben Gannon-Doak needs to improve his final ball but is pleased with his progress.
Gannon-Doak created promising chances and won the penalty John McGinn scored in Scotland’s 2-1 Nations League win over North Macedonia.
Pocognoli says the Bournemouth player is young and believes regular games will help him make better decisions in attacking positions.
Scotland now face group winners Switzerland away in their final Nations League match.
Scotland need a win to have any chance of passing Slovenia, who are one point ahead and play North Macedonia.
If Scotland finish second, they could compete in a March play-off for promotion to League A and would secure a Pot 2 place in the Euro 2028 qualifying draw.
Scotland coach Sebastien Pocognoli says Ben Gannon-Doak needs to improve his end product but is pleased with the winger’s progress.
Gannon-Doak won a penalty in Scotland’s 2-1 Nations League win over North Macedonia on Friday.
Pocognoli said the 21-year-old creates promising one-on-one opportunities and believes his decision-making will improve with experience.
Scotland travel to Switzerland on Monday, knowing a win is needed to have a chance of moving into second place in their group.
- Who
- Scotland coach Sebastien Pocognoli and winger Ben Gannon-Doak.
- What
- Pocognoli backed Gannon-Doak to improve his finishing and decision-making.
- When
- Pocognoli spoke after Friday’s match; Scotland play Switzerland on Monday.
- Where
- The comments followed Scotland’s 2-1 win over North Macedonia. Scotland’s next match is in Switzerland.
- Why
- Pocognoli said Gannon-Doak needs to improve his end product, while praising his ability to create one-on-one opportunities.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Scotland beat North Macedonia 2-1 in the Nations League, with Gannon-Doak winning the penalty converted by John McGinn.
Scotland are due to play Switzerland, with a win needed to have any chance of leapfrogging Slovenia into second place.
- Score
- Scotland beat North Macedonia 2-1
- Penalty
- Ben Gannon-Doak won it; John McGinn converted
- Player age
- 21
- Next match
- Switzerland, on Monday
- Group position
- Slovenia are one point ahead of Scotland before their trip to North Macedonia
What people are saying
We know that he needs to improve on the end product, but he created a penalty and against Slovenia and North Macedonia away he created a number of unbelievable one v ones.
I am happy with his performance.
I believe in one moment he will have a click about decision making.
Ben, this is the next step.