Scotland head coach Sebastien Pocognoli has been talking to the media as he prepares for Friday's Nations League Group B1 visit by North Macedonia.

Here are his key points:

• Pocognoli says it is "exciting" to have his players together again for his second camp in charge and reports "a very good first day" of training.

• He says the mood continues to be good despite a defeat at home to Slovenia last time out.

• Pocognoli says the lesson from the last game was that fatigue meant he would need to give substitutes more minutes and "rotate a bit more".

• The Belgian says "we know what we want to improve" despite having only two days to prepare for the next game.

• Pocognoli recognises games against North Macedonia and Switzerland could be his last chance to prepare for European Championship qualifiers starting in March, although he retains hopes of making the Nations League promotion play-offs.

• Pocognoli recognises how important Scott McTominay is to Scotland says the Napoli midfielder "had a smile on his face from the minute he arrived".

• McTominay is part of "my captain group of five" who "share resposibilities" and get the head coach's message across on the pitch.

• "Without leaders, you can't win anything," Pocognoli says. "You need guys who are helping the staff bring the standard. We are really lucky that we have a lot of captains in this team."

• Pocognoli says "it is fantastic" that captain Andy Robertson is set to equal Kenny Dalglish's record of 102 caps.

• Centre-half Ryan Porteous deserves his call up because of his performances for Los Angeles, will fit well with Scotland's style of play and will be determined to impress.