Sebastien Pocognoli believes the Premiership has an identity crisis caused by a lack of Scottish players pulling on the jersey at our top clubs.

Just six of the 26 players the newly appointed national team manager initially selected for the Nations League double-header with North Macedonia and Switzerland play their football in this country’s top division.

And while the Belgian understands the attraction and the benefits of top talents moving to some of Europe’s top leagues, he’s concerned that the division which should be his first port of call when it comes to making selections is now a barren land.

‘The Scottish league misses Scottish players in the biggest teams,’ he said.

‘The league is intense and competitive, but I am not looking at this. I am looking at who is performing at the big clubs.

‘I believe that’s the most close to international level. And for that you need to play Champions League, Europa League, Conference League in some stage of the competition.

‘That is what I’m looking at. I hope that players who are performing well, let’s say in the bottom (half), can bounce to the next step to a top club inside the country.

‘That will make the competition more competitive, maybe you will go through after the winter into the Champions League or Europa League.

‘That gives the experience to the young Scottish players and in the end, we’d get the benefit.

‘That’s what I’m looking at more in Scottish football rather than the clubs and the style of play of clubs, that kind of thing.

‘It’s not easy because if you look at the Scottish competition, there’s not many young lads who are getting an opportunity to shine compared to Belgium, France, Germany.’

The specific issue of a lack of opportunities being afforded to players who are eligible for the Scotland under 21 side was highlighted at the recent summit at St Andrews which all 42 clubs attended.

With Turkey the only nation which currently gives fewer minutes, the SFA’s chief football officer Craig Mulholland has tabled two proposals which would see clubs obliged to offer more chances to emerging talents in both league and cup matches.

Optimistic that such changes to the rules would lead to a brighter picture further down the line, Pocognoli added: ‘Hopefully, we can see the benefits in future.

‘I follow all of the young lads, not only from the Premiership in Scotland, but also the Championship and League One because some of them are on loan.

‘My job is not only to win the next game, it’s also to prepare for what’s coming next season.

‘In one year, a lot can change. I try to support all the decisions of the clubs in Scotland regarding the fact they play Scottish players and young ones especially.

‘Colby Donovan is a good example, he played some good games for Celtic and I tried to help to accelerate his progress, then he signed a new contract and plays week after week.

‘He is not selected this time, but I think we will get the benefit later on.

‘For Findlay Curtis it’s the same, he’s not playing a lot at Rangers but I believe in his quality.

‘We need to support those type of players because we need them, but hopefully it can help his pathway at Rangers to get some minutes.

‘I hope some other players will be on the same pathway this season.’