As Andy Robertson prepares to etch his name alongside Kenny Dalglish in Scotland's record books, the spotlight also falls on the men tasked with shielding him. The left-back's 102nd cap, equalling the men's record, is a milestone worth celebrating, but it also highlights a glaring issue: the makeshift nature of Scotland's central defence under new head coach Sebastien Pocognoli.
Injuries Force Pocognoli's Hand
The back three that started in Skopje - Stephen Welsh, Scott McKenna, and Luis Binks - are all unavailable through injury, leaving Pocognoli to scramble for alternatives. In a bid to shore up a defence that leaked goals in his first two matches, the Belgian has turned to forgotten men Ryan Porteous and David Bates, alongside the experienced Jack Hendry and promising youngster Luke Graham.
Porteous, who last featured for Scotland in March 2025, has been plying his trade with Los Angeles FC, while Bates, capped four times under Alex McLeish, has resurrected his career with Turkish side Amedspor. Hendry, now in Saudi Arabia, is approaching his half-century of caps, and Graham, a standout for Dundee last season, is highly rated but has just minutes of international experience.
Pocognoli defended Bates's inclusion, saying, "There are a lot of players who are not available for the defensive line, but David's not there for nothing. He's performing well in Turkey with a team third in the rankings, in a tough competition." The head coach also knows Bates's club manager, Besnik Hasi, from their time in Belgium, and believes Bates's experience can be valuable.
Graham Tipped for First Start
Former England international Kevin Phillips has tipped Graham to start, and many fans are eager to see the 22-year-old given a chance after his impressive form for Stoke City. Graham's ability to play on the left of a back three could see him slot in alongside Robertson, with Kieran Tierney potentially shifting to a more central role.
Whoever gets the nod, the lack of caps in central defence is stark compared to Scotland's embarrassment of riches in midfield and attack. Robertson alone has more caps than all the available centre-backs combined, underscoring the inexperience in that area.
North Macedonia: A Chance to Build Momentum
Friday's opponents, North Macedonia, are enduring a torrid run: 12 games without a win, eight without a goal, and five straight defeats, conceding 14 goals in the process. Pocognoli, however, remains wary, noting that they were "unlucky" to concede three against Switzerland. A victory is essential for the head coach, who is yet to win at Hampden in his brief tenure.
While stability in defence was a hallmark of Steve Clarke's reign, Pocognoli must find a way to combine solidity with the imagination and invention that was sometimes lacking under his predecessor. With a patched-up backline, the challenge is clear: stop the rot and give the Tartan Army something to cheer about.
As Robertson enjoys his moment in the spotlight, the men beside him will be under scrutiny. Can they rise to the occasion and prove that Scotland's defensive depth is not as shallow as it appears?
