Sebastien Pocognoli will bid for his first Hampden victory at the third attempt when Scotland host North Macedonia on Friday.
The Scotland head coach endured an underwhelming start to his tenure last month by picking up just four points from a possible 12 in the Nations League while losing both of his home openers against Switzerland and Slovenia.
The away performances at least provided some encourgament with a strong second half in the goalless draw against Slovenia in Ljubljana in his first match in charge and a dominant 2-0 win over North Macedonia in Skopje.
However, the 2-1 defeat by Slovenia at Hampden ended his maiden camp on a sour note and raised questions over whether the squad is suited to the manager's preferred system, with Pocognoli using a 3-4-2-1 or 3-4-1-2 formation across his first four games.
The squad has been bolstered by the return of Scott McTominay, Kieran Tierney and Che Adams but defenders Stephen Welsh and Luis Binks have withdrawn and replaced by Ryan Porteous and David Bates, while Scott McKenna is also absent.
Assuming Pocognoli sticks with his preferred set-up, here is our preferred starting XI for the game against North Macedonia at Hampden on Friday, with an away trip to Switzerland to follow on Monday.
1. GK: Angus Gunn
The San Jose Earthquakes goalkeeper was the first choice pick for Steve Clarke towards the end of his tenure, and has retained the gloves under Pocognoli thus far, starting all four matches last month. He has his sceptics though, and is facing competition from Falkirk's Scott Bain, who has been in excellent form of late. | SNS Group
2. DCR - Aaron Hickey
Pocognoli may have to get creative after losing an entire defence through injury with the late withdrawals of Stephen Welsh and Luis Binks adding to Scott McKenna's absence. There is the option of bringing the recalled Ryan Porteous straight into the starting line-up on the right of the back three. But Hickey is versatile enough to play there and has the benefit of working with Pocognoli in the previous camp. | SNS Group
3. DC: Jack Hendry
The Al-Ettifaq defender started in the centre of the back three in the defeats by Switzerland and Slovenia at Hampden last month. Neither match went well for him with an early red card against the Swiss followed by a shaky second half display against Slovenia. Has the mobility required to play the high line but needs to be more commanding and organise those around him. | SNS Group
4. DCL: Kieran Tierney
Missed the previous camp through injury so this will be his first taste of the Pocognoli system. Has shown in the past he can play the left centre-back role and link up with Andy Robertson. Has been looking back to his best at Celtic with improving fitness levels allowing him to complete 90 minutes most weeks. | SNS Group