Luis Binks, the 25‑year‑old centre‑back who captains Brøndby in Denmark, has finally achieved a lifelong ambition: representing Scotland at senior level. The defender, who has previously turned out for both England and Scotland at under‑21 level, said he never needed any persuasion from new national team boss Sébastien Pocognoli when the coach announced his intention to include him in the first senior squad. "I’ve wanted to play for Scotland for years, and now the opportunity has come. I’m just really proud," Binks told Sky Sports News, a sentiment that captures both his personal pride and the emotional weight of the moment.
Binks is among a group of six newcomers handed their inaugural full‑international call‑ups for the upcoming Nations League fixtures against Slovenia, North Macedonia and Switzerland. Pocognoli, who took over from Steve Clarke, has been clear that he will not try to coerce dual‑nationality players into choosing Scotland, a stance that Binks fully supports.
"If a manager had to beg a player to pick Scotland, that would probably be the wrong approach for the player," he explained. "I didn’t need any convincing; I was available. I wanted to play for Scotland.
It’s where my heart is, and it’s the path I always wanted to follow." The new Scotland side under Pocognoli is markedly different from the squad that qualified for the 2022 World Cup. Twelve members of Clarke’s final tournament roster are absent, with only Scott McTominay, Lawrence Shankland and Che Adams missing due to injury. Yet Binks finds comfort in the presence of a few familiar faces.
He recalled a memorable moment from a few years ago when he was in Bologna with teammate Aaron Hickey, who received a call‑up while they were both abroad. "I could play for the U‑21s at the time, but nothing ever materialised for the senior team, yet Scotland was always the one I wanted to represent," Binks said. He reflected on his earlier experiences with the Scotland U‑16s, describing the atmosphere as "just so good" – a group of ordinary lads who felt like mates on the pitch. That camaraderie, he believes, is what draws him back now.
Pocognoli’s tenure officially begins in Ljubljana on Saturday, where Scotland will face Slovenia, followed by a clash with Switzerland at Hampden Park three days later. The squad will then travel to Skopje for the North Macedonia match on October 3 before returning to Glasgow for a second encounter with Slovenia on October 6. Scotland were relegated from Nations League A after a play‑off loss to Greece last year and will be competing in the second tier this season, aiming to regain their place among Europe’s elite. Binks acknowledges the challenges of adapting to a new manager and a fresh tactical system, drawing parallels with his club situation where he recently welcomed a new coach.
"It takes time for everyone to get on board and understand the manager’s ideas," he said. "It’s about getting the players to buy into everything the manager wants to do.
It’s still early days, but I think everyone is fully on board and believes in what we can achieve as a nation." The squad list, as announced by the Scottish FA, includes a mix of seasoned internationals and promising youngsters. Goalkeepers: Scott Bain (Falkirk), Angus Gunn (San Jose Earthquakes), Liam Kelly (Rangers) and Jon McCracken (Bradford City). Defenders: Luis Binks (Brøndby), Josh Doig (Sassuolo), Colby Donovan (Celtic), Luke Graham (Stoke City), Jack Hendry (Al‑Ettifaq), Aaron Hickey (Brentford), Scott McKenna (Dinamo Zagreb), Nathan Patterson (Torino), Andy Robertson (Tottenham) and Stephen Welsh (Swansea City).
Midfielders: Ryan Christie (Bournemouth), Lewis Ferguson (Bologna), Billy Gilmour (Napoli), John McGinn (Aston Villa), Josh McPake (Hearts), Lennon Miller (Udinese) and Kristie Montgomery (Blackburn Rovers). Forwards: Kieron Bowie (Sassuolo), Findlay Curtis (Rangers), Ben Gannon‑Doak (Bournemouth), Oli McBurnie (Hull City), Robbie Ure (Sevilla) and James Wilson (Hearts).
Beyond the on‑field matters, the call‑up highlights the broader narrative of identity and belonging in modern football. Players with dual eligibility often face complex decisions, balancing personal heritage, career prospects and emotional ties. Binks’ story underscores a growing trend where athletes prioritize where they feel a genuine connection, rather than merely following the path that offers the most exposure.
His declaration that "Scotland was always the one for me" resonates with many fans who see national pride as an intrinsic part of a player’s journey. The upcoming fixtures will test Pocognoli’s tactical ideas and the cohesion of a squad that is still finding its rhythm. Scotland’s aim is clear: to secure promotion back to Nations League A and re‑establish themselves as a competitive force in European football.
For Binks, every minute on the pitch will be an affirmation of his long‑standing dream, and a chance to contribute to a team he describes as feeling like "playing with your mates". As the nation looks ahead to the September and October matches, the excitement surrounding his debut reflects both personal triumph and the collective hope of a country eager to return to the top tier.
Fans can follow live updates, analysis and exclusive content via Sky Sports’ digital platforms, including the Sky Sports app and WhatsApp channel, which will provide real‑time coverage of the Nations League games. The schedule is as follows: Slovenia vs Scotland on September 26 at 14:00, Scotland vs Switzerland on September 29 at 19:45, North Macedonia vs Scotland on October 3 at 19:45, and Scotland vs Slovenia on October 6 at 19:45.
Additional fixtures later in the year include Scotland vs North Macedonia on November 13 and Switzerland vs Scotland on November 16, both slated for 19:45.