Sebastien Pocognoli's faces his first test as Scotland head coach against Slovenia on Saturday, but how are his squad shaping up for his debut?
Sebastien Pocognoli's faces his first test as Scotland head coach against Slovenia on Saturday, but how are his squad shaping up for his debut?
The goalkeeping position was a problem for some time under predecessor Steve Clarke, exacerbated by 84-cap Craig Gordon coming to the end of his career and with playing time often limited for the alternatives.
But current first-choice Angus Gunn is now a regular starter with San Jose Earthquakes after his summer switch from Nottingham Forest.
Scott Bain is also performing well for Falkirk, while Jon McCracken has helped Bradford City to the top of League One after his move from Dundee, making Rangers' Liam Kelly the only goalkeeper not playing for his club.
The absence of Shankland and Adams gave Pocognoli the opportunity to bring in some fresh blood among the forwards, and the recalled Oli McBurnie continues to start for Hull City on their return to the Premier League.
Meanwhile, Robbie Ure was back in the starting line-up for new club Sevilla as they lost 3-1 to La Liga leaders Barcelona on Saturday, while James Wilson has cemented a first-team place since returning to Heart of Midlothian from his loan to Tottenham Hotspur.
In saying that, striker Kieron Bowie and wingers Findlay Curtis and Ben Gannon-Doak had to make do with being substitutes over the weekend for Sassuolo, Rangers and Bournemouth respectively.
While 20-year-old Gannon-Doak's continued lack of minutes is not ideal considering he has proved to be a key provider of pace to Scotland's play, club-mate Ryan Christie will have received a boost by being handed only his second start of the season, albeit the midfielder came off after 75 minutes of a 1-0 home defeat by Liverpool.
Indeed, all seven of Pocognoli's central midfield options started at the weekend.
That includes Lennon Miller in Udinese's 1-0 home defeat by Cagliari. Also in Serie A, Billy Gilmour scored only his second senior goal with a fine strike in Napoli's 1-1 draw at Fiorentina, as well as being named man of the match.
Averytin News Soccer update.