Sebastien Pocognoli cannot wait to experience his first night in the Scotland dugout at Hampden Park.
The new Scotland head coach will take charge at the National Stadium for the first time on Tuesday when his side face Switzerland in the Nations League.
After making his competitive debut away against Slovenia, Pocognoli is now preparing for a very different challenge in front of a home crowd.
For the 38-year-old, the occasion has been on his mind since he was handed the Scotland job.
“It will be a special moment, the first time at home. I’ve really been looking forward to that moment since I’ve been appointed as a new gaffer.
Pocognoli also believes the atmosphere inside Hampden could mirror what his team produces on the pitch.
His message to the Scotland players is clear: be brave, take risks and attack the opposition.
“I think the fans will be a reflection of what we will be on the pitch. If we are brave, if we are trying, if we face the risk, if we face the opponent, I think the supporters will adapt to this and they will be behind us.
The manager pointed to Scotland’s performance in Slovenia as evidence of the kind of response he wants from his players.
Scotland had to fight their way back into the game, and Pocognoli believes that determination helped create a connection with the supporters.
“The first reaction after the game in Slovenia was that reaction because we turned the game (around) and we faced the opponent.
The next test, however, will come against a Switzerland side expected to provide a different level of opposition.
Pocognoli knows Scotland cannot simply replicate their previous performance and expect the same outcome. Instead, he wants his players to adapt while remaining committed to the attacking principles he is trying to establish.
“I hope we can do it with a different level of opponent but I think we had a good test in Slovenia. It’s never easy to go there.
The Scotland boss accepts that some matches require patience and intelligence, particularly when facing a strong opponent capable of controlling periods of the game.
Rather than abandoning his philosophy, however, he wants Scotland to become smarter in how they execute it.
“Sometimes you have a very good opponent and you just have to be smarter in your approach. But the idea will be always be, and certainly at home, to try to take control of the game as much as possible.”
That approach could make Tuesday’s clash an important early indicator of what Scotland can look like under their new head coach.
Pocognoli’s first home game is not simply about the result. It is also an opportunity for his players to demonstrate the bravery, intensity and attacking intent he wants to see become part of Scotland’s identity.
With Hampden behind them, the Scotland boss will hope his players can turn that energy into another statement performance against Switzerland.
And for Pocognoli, the wait is almost over. His first home night as Scotland boss is finally here.
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