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Keep calm and carry on: Scotland manager’s message amid worst scoring run in 55 years

Sebastien Pocognoli has urged his Scotland players to stay calm after their defeat to Switzerland – amid their worst run of goalscoring form in 55 years.

Published: Wednesday, 30 September 2026 at 9:34 PM
Keep calm and carry on: Scotland manager’s message amid worst scoring run in 55 years
Key Things to Know
  • Scotland manager Sebastien Pocognoli urged calm following a 3-0 defeat to Switzerland and an extended scoring drought.
  • Switzerland defeated 10-man Scotland 3-0 at Hampden after defender Jack Hendry was sent off in the 11th minute.
  • Scotland have gone four games without scoring, matching their worst barren run since 1971.
The Story in 60 Seconds

Scotland manager Sebastien Pocognoli has urged his team to remain calm and stick with their game plan despite a 3-0 Nations League defeat against Switzerland. The loss marked Scotland's fourth consecutive match without scoring a goal, representing their worst goal drought in 55 years. Scotland played most of Tuesday's match at Hampden with ten men after Jack Hendry was sent off in the 11th minute.

Pocognoli confirmed he will not abandon his 3-5-2 formation ahead of Saturday's match against North Macedonia in Skopje. If Scotland fail to score in the first 25 minutes of that fixture, it will set an all-time national record barren run. Pocognoli praised striker Oliver McBurnie's work rate and defended his tactical substitutions following Hendry's early dismissal.

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