Sebastien Pocognoli has admitted Scotland failed to reach the standards expected of them after suffering a 2-1 Nations League defeat to Slovenia.
The Scotland head coach did not hide his frustration after watching his side struggle to impose themselves at both ends of the pitch, describing the performance as a clear step below what had been demanded.
Scotland entered the game looking to build on the encouraging moments from Pocognoli’s first international camp, but Slovenia exposed areas that the Belgian believes must be addressed before the next round of fixtures.
“We played not a game that we wanted to deliver. I think we were not at the level that we expected to be on the ball, but also off the ball.
“So, yes, disappointment feeling, 100 per cent.
“To the other side, we look back to what we delivered also through the camp, which can give some strong foundation for the future.
“Today, we just have to analyse what the next camp can or has to improve. I don’t think we deserve to get more than what we get. Slovenia played a good game and we were not at the level.”
Pocognoli’s assessment was blunt. There was no attempt to disguise Scotland’s shortcomings or suggest they deserved a different result.
Instead, the manager accepted that Slovenia performed well and that his players failed to match their opponents’ intensity and quality when it mattered most.
The defeat also offered Pocognoli an early reality check as he continues to shape his Scotland side.
Asked where the team stands after his first camp in charge, he insisted the overall picture remains positive despite the disappointing result.
“I think they are on track. I think the players delivered a great camp. Maybe on the ranking aspect, especially with the game of today, we are disappointed.
“But the job that we delivered with the staff, with the players, and some moments during the four games was positive.
“Today was not what we expected. We have to be objective that we need to improve on many things.
“The Macedonia game was good. But I was also really reflective and clear that not everything will be perfect against maybe a stronger opponent. Today, we didn’t show enough.”
That final admission could prove important as Scotland move forward under Pocognoli.
The manager appears determined not to allow one disappointing night to erase the progress made during the camp, but he is equally unwilling to overlook the weaknesses exposed by Slovenia.
For Scotland, the challenge now is turning those lessons into improvement.
Pocognoli has already identified the need for greater consistency, particularly when facing stronger opposition. The defeat showed that promising performances against one opponent cannot automatically be carried into another game.
With the next international camp offering another opportunity to respond, Scotland will be expected to show that the Slovenia defeat was a setback rather than a sign of deeper problems.
Pocognoli has laid down the message himself: the foundation may be promising, but Scotland still have plenty of work to do.
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