‘With the times’ Scotland boss won me over with surprise call - here’s why he’s different to Steve Clarke

Scotland striker Che Adams admits he was instantly won over by head coach Sebastien Pocognoli after a surprise FaceTime call from the Belgian when he was out injured last month.

Adams, 30, was ruled out of Pocognoli’s inaugural camp in October after picking up a thigh injury with club side Torino, but was restored to the Scotland starting XI for their 2-1 win over North Macedonia on Friday night, and registered an assist for the first of John McGinn’s two goals.

After being regular for former manager Steve Clarke during his seven year reign, Adams admits Scotland’s early performances under their new 38-year-old manager have been patchy so far. Still ironing out the teething issues often faced by teams in transition, he concedes they are yet to click, but says the squad believe in Pocognoli and his new methods.

Get our daily football newsletter by clicking here.

Adams reveals Scotland boss Pocognoli keeps in touch with the squad via FaceTime. | Getty Images

“The camps haven’t changed much but the manager is definitely more intense,” said Adams. “I think it’s the European style of play and thinking. It’s going to take time for him to understand the boys, understand us as players and understand us as a squad. This gaffer has good ideas, a good approach to the game. Everyone’s buying into it and I definitely think we’ll see the benefits.

“With Steve [Clarke] you could have a laugh and you can do that with this gaffer as well, but he’s a lot more intense in terms of detail, off the pitch telling you where to be and what to do. In the last camp when I was out injured he was on asking how my injury was, how long I’d be out for and if I still wanted to be part of it.

“Coming off a transitional period like we have just now, it’s difficult to know where you are and what you want to do. But all the boys here want to play for our country and do Scotland proud. I had no doubts about it, it’s good to get away from Italy for a while, be around some good lads.”

Striking trio Kieron Bowie, Oli McBurnie and Robbie Ure were all called into the squad by Pocognoli for last month’s Nations League games against Slovenia, North Macedonia and Switzerland, with Adams injured and Lyndon Dykes and George Hirst both left out.

With enhanced competition for a starting spot, the Torino hitman said the Belgian ensured he kept in contact with him during his injury layoff, revealing the unique method Pocognoli implemented with the team since he was appointed manager in August.

“I heard from the manager the last time when I wasn’t in the camp,” said Adams. “He loves a FaceTime call. I think he’s taken a few of the boys by surprise when they’ve been out walking their dogs and stuff. I think KT [Kieran Tierney] was out for a walk when he phoned him. He just calls out of the blue and has done it to a few of the boys. It’s unexpected and it’s different because we’ve never experienced something like that, but it’s good.

“The manager is with the times, really, he’s brought in his new ideas. He’s a few years younger and has a different philosophy on how he wants his team to play. It just takes time to click but it’s up to us as players now to show we can do what he wants. We have been together for a number of years now so we know each other’s game. You could see on Friday us starting to put the manager’s things in practice, we won a lot of balls high with our pressing.

Adams picked up an assist upon his return to the Scotland starting XI vs North Macedonia on Friday night. | Getty Images

“For me, it’s a bit different to what I’m used to at club level because that’s a little bit more free. I can roam where I want in and around the back line for my club, but I am enjoying it. When you’re playing with boys like John McGinn and Scott McTominay who have the creativity, that eye for goal and pass forward that you don’t really get at club level it is good.

“The gaffer wanted me to run deep on Friday as well, so nothing changed there. As games go on, stretching the opposition helps John and Scott get on the ball where they can hurt teams with their creativity. You can definitely see things are coming together, you could see how we were building up and playing out. You have to credit the manager for putting the belief in the young players who have come in as well.”