The elongated international break is plainly not to everyone’s liking, but there are some for whom the new arrangement offers no grounds for complaint.
Newly appointed as Scotland manager, Sebastien Pocognoli has spoken positively of the opportunity to get his ideas across in the fortnight since his new-look squad travelled to La Manga.
With four Nations League games in which to assess the fruits of those labours, the Tartan Army will also have welcomed the chance to examine the wide shot of the Belgian’s impact.
With two-thirds of the campaign ticked off, it’s fair to say that the jury remains out on the amiable Belgian and what he’s trying to do. Progress, it must be said, has been painfully slow.
Pocognoli’s side didn’t deserve anything from this rematch against Slovenia and remain third in Group E.
Beating North Macedonia at Hampden next month was always taken as a given. To stand any chance of finishing in the runners-up spot in the section, Scotland will also now need to beat Switzerland in St Gallen three days later. That’s going to be an extremely tall order. And even that is unlikely to be enough.
The implications of failing to finish second in the section would be considerable: Not only would Scotland miss out on a play-off in March for a possible return to the top tier, they would slip from pot two to pot three for the Euro 2028 draw in December.
Notwithstanding the fact that this is a new manager and new-look squad trying to play in a different style, results are what anyone is always judged on. And four points from a possible 12 falls way short of expectations. Already, the manager has an awful lot of ground to make up to vindicate his appointment.
Two home games and not a point taken. If there was a degree of mitigation about the manner of the loss to the Swiss, then there was nothing to be said here.
Bowie and Robertson look stunned after Scots surrender a half-time lead to lose to Slovenia
Scotland were ahead at the interval through Ryan Christie – somewhat fortuitously – and simply didn’t turn up for the second period.
Just as alarming as the manner in which Slovenia struck twice was the way in which Scotland lost their composure. They turned the ball over time and again and looked weary and lacking in ideas.
While it would be patently ludicrous for anyone to press a panic button, Pocognoli has a lot to ponder in the coming weeks.
Although Slovenia are evidently a nation with greater pedigree than North Macedonia, this was a game Scotland had to win.
A week after his Hampden bow against the Swiss proved to be a damp squib as a result of Jack Hendry’s early red card, Pocognoli sought to build on an improved display in Skopje.
Hendry returned and filled the central role in the back-three caused by Scott McKenna’s suspension. Billy Gilmour earned his 50th cap alongside Lewis Ferguson with John McGinn and Christie tasked with providing the support for Oli McBurnie.
Seeking his first goal on his 20th Scotland appearance, the Hull forward was something of a surprise inclusion ahead of Kieron Bowie. Bluntly, he did not justify being given the nod as his 1,000th minute in a Scotland shirt came and went without a goal.
Ben Gannon-Doak retained his spot at right wing-back. Before getting down to business on the other flank, Andy Robertson’s century of caps was fittingly recognised by a presentation from Gordon Strachan, Alex McLeish, Steve Clarke and Pocognoli.
Danijel Sturm evades Jack Hendry’s challenge to score the winner for Slovenia
Scotland actually looked like they might pick up where they left off in Ljubljana. Robertson pinged the ball to Christie who fed McGinn. His hopes of a breakthrough were dashed by an outstretched leg.
One thing we do know already from Pocognoli is that it’s unlikely to be dull. Going man for man at the back, they go forward in numbers but invite risk.
When Daniel Sturm ran in behind and cut the ball back, Scotland were short on numbers. Hendry did well to spread himself on the line and prevent Adam Cerin from scoring.
After another Scotland attack broke down, Gannon-Doak had to show his worth defensively to take the ball off the toe of Sturm.
Scotland were struggling to get control of the game at the midway point in the first half. It needed someone special to find the spark. Step forward Gannon-Doak.
His run inside was met with a crude a tackle by Erik Janza which earned a booking. But the set piece the wing-back earned would provide a double punishment.
In a clearly rehearsed routine, Ferguson rolled the ball to Gannon-Doak and watched him make for the line and stand the ball up at the far post. Hendry met it firmly, struck the post and took Jan Oblak out of the game. McBurnie looked certain to break his international duck but fluffed his lines from three yards.
Christie took one touch to retrieve the situation then converted with a backheel. Without exactly being exhilarating to watch, Scotland were ahead.
What a debt they owed to Robertson for keeping it that way at the interval. His block to deny Zan Vipotnik was incredible.
Pocognoli could have done with seeing his players move the ball a shade quicker. There was a clear attempt to introduce greater tempo at the outset of the second period.
A lovely flick by Gilmour found McGinn who sent Gannon-Doak on his way. The winger bobbed and weaved, thought about going himself then played in Christie who saw his left-foot strike fisted away by the keeper.
But the increased sense of urgency did not last. The manner of Slovenia’s equaliser was dreadful from Scotland’s perspective.
It stemmed from a throw-in which Robertson launched towards Christie and was mis-controlled by the goalscorer. Slovenia pounced on the unforced error with Sturm playing a straight pass up the middle to Aljosa Matko. With Luis Binks unable to get his shoulder in, Matko placed the ball in the corner from just outside the box.
As with two of the concessions against the Swiss, Angus Gunn could have done better.
For a few minutes, Scotland were overrun and repeatedly undone by a ball over the top. First, Sturm fired over with the goal at his mercy. Then Binks had to stand up tall to prevent Mark Zabukovnik from lashing home the visitors’ second. It was in danger of becoming a tough watch.
Pocognoli reacted by withdrawing Stephen Welsh and McBurnie and introducing Aaron Hickey and Bowie in a revised 4-1-4-1 formation.
While the offside flag came to the rescue after Cerin had netted, there was a growing sense of foreboding among the home supporters.
Oli McBurnie challenges Slovenia defender Erik Janza at Hampden
The visitors’ second felt like a matter of time. It arrived on 71 minutes with the space vacated by the advanced Robertson exploited. Matko dragged Binks out of position and delivered a measured cross. Sturm met it first time. This time Gunn was blameless.
The further introductions of Findlay Curtis and Josh McPake – for his debut – lifted the crowd but not the performance. Although both subs had claims for penalties, Scotland lost their way with elementary errors creeping in all over the park.
Bowie’s shot on the turn following fine wing play from McPake at least worked Oblak, but it was the one real moment of promise in a grim closing period. This is not how it was meant to be.
