“Rangers Fans WON’T Like This One” 😭 — Sebastian Pocognoli Makes ONE Huge Demand Ahead of Scotland Appointment
The possibility of Sebastian Pocognoli taking charge of the Scotland national team has already generated plenty of discussion among supporters, but a reported demand from the Belgian coach could make his potential appointment even more controversial.
Pocognoli has emerged as one of the names attracting attention in the race to become Scotland’s next manager, with his coaching philosophy and approach to developing a more energetic style of football reportedly appealing to those involved in the search.
However, there is one major issue that could immediately put him at odds with a section of Scottish football supporters.
According to the details surrounding his reported plans, Pocognoli wants three first-team players removed from his plans if he takes charge of the national side.
And one of the names allegedly caught in the firing line is Rangers striker Lawrence Shankland.
That revelation is unlikely to go down well with Rangers supporters, particularly given the importance of Shankland to the club and his experience at the highest level of Scottish football.
“I DON’T LIKE THE WAY THEY PLAY” 😳
Pocognoli is believed to have made his feelings clear about the style of football produced by the players he has identified.
The Belgian reportedly wants to build a Scotland side based on intensity, movement, pressing and a much more aggressive approach when the team is without possession.
And, according to the reported demand, he does not believe three established first-team players fit naturally into that system.
One of those players is Shankland.
The Rangers forward has been viewed as a proven option in Scottish football, but Pocognoli’s apparent preference for a different attacking profile could put the striker’s international future under serious pressure should the Belgian eventually get the job.
The reported comments attributed to Pocognoli have already caught attention.
> “I don’t like the way they play.”
That blunt assessment is understood to be at the centre of his thinking.
Rather than simply inheriting the existing squad and making small tactical adjustments, Pocognoli reportedly wants the freedom to make significant changes to the group and establish his own footballing identity.
Rangers Fans WON’T Like This One 😭
For Rangers supporters, the inclusion of Shankland is likely to be the biggest talking point.
The striker remains a familiar name in Scottish football and has attracted plenty of attention throughout his career. Seeing a potential Scotland manager arrive and immediately decide that he does not fit his preferred system could create a difficult situation.
There is also the question of whether Pocognoli would be willing to stand by the decision if supporters and pundits begin questioning it.
International management comes with enormous pressure, and dropping experienced players can quickly become controversial when results do not immediately go the manager’s way.
But Pocognoli appears to be thinking beyond short-term popularity.
His reported philosophy is centred on selecting players who fit his tactical requirements rather than choosing names simply because they are established.
A Major Rebuild Could Be Coming 🏴
If Pocognoli eventually gets the Scotland job, supporters could be looking at a significant change in the national team’s playing style.
The Belgian coach would reportedly want Scotland to become more aggressive, faster in transition and more demanding of players without the ball.
That could mean several familiar faces finding themselves outside the squad.
And while Shankland is the name attracting the most attention, the reported plan involves three first-team players being axed.
That is a bold stance for a manager who has not even officially taken charge.
It also suggests that Pocognoli would want considerable control over squad selection rather than simply working with the group that has been assembled by previous managers.
The Shankland Debate Begins
The potential exclusion of Shankland is likely to trigger a major debate among Scotland supporters.
His supporters will argue that goals and experience should remain important considerations when selecting a national-team striker.
Pocognoli’s camp, however, would seemingly be looking at something different: whether a player can execute the specific tactical demands of his system.
That distinction could become one of the biggest stories of his potential tenure.
If Scotland appoint Pocognoli and he follows through with his reported plans, the manager could immediately find himself under pressure from supporters who believe experienced players deserve another opportunity.
But if his new-look Scotland starts producing results, those early decisions could quickly be forgotten.
For now, though, one thing is clear: Pocognoli does not appear interested in simply continuing with the status quo.
He reportedly wants to make difficult decisions from the beginning, even if they involve popular or established players.
And for Rangers fans, the biggest question is obvious:
Could Lawrence Shankland really be one of the first major casualties of the Pocognoli era? 😳🏴
