Luis Binks, the 25‑year‑old centre‑back who captains Brøndby, has finally received the call he has long dreamed of – a senior cap for Scotland. The defender, who has represented both England and Scotland at under‑21 level, said he never needed any persuasion when new national team boss Sébastien Pocognoli invited him to join the squad for the Nations League fixtures against Slovenia, North Macedonia and Switzerland. "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, echoing the sentiment that has guided his international career from the start. The Scotsman’s pride was evident as he explained that the decision felt natural, not something that required a sales pitch from the coach. "If he had to try and convince me, or anyone, it’s probably not the right thing for the player," Binks added, underscoring his belief that a player’s heart should dictate allegiance.
The call‑up makes Binks one of six newcomers to receive their first full senior invitation under Pocognoli. The manager, who took over after Steve Clarke’s tenure, has already indicated he will not pressure dual‑eligible players to choose Scotland, a stance that resonated strongly with Binks. "I didn’t need any convincing; I was available.
I wanted to play for Scotland. It’s where you feel your heart is and where you want to go.
This was the route I wanted to take," he said. Scotland’s squad for the upcoming Nations League campaign is a blend of fresh faces and a few familiar ones. Apart from Binks, the roster includes only three players from Clarke’s World Cup‑qualifying line‑up – Scott McTominay, Lawrence Shankland and Che Adams – all sidelined by injury.
The rest of the team reflects a new era, with a clear intention to rebuild and aim for promotion back to League A after last season’s relegation following a play‑off loss to Greece. Binks reflected on his earlier experiences with the Scottish youth set‑ups, recalling a trip to Bologna with teammate Aaron Hickey. "I was with Aaron Hickey in Bologna and he got called up while we were there. I could play for the under‑21s at the time and nothing ever came up, but Scotland was always the one for me that I wanted to go and play for," he reminisced.
He also highlighted the camaraderie he felt at the under‑16 level, describing the atmosphere as "proper team" vibes, where players felt like mates rather than strangers. "It felt like a proper team, it was just normal lads and you felt like you were playing with your mates, so I knew there was always that feeling around it. I wanted to go and be a part of that again," he explained.
The upcoming fixtures will see Scotland travel to Ljubljana for a match against Switzerland on September 29 at Hampden Park, followed by a trip to North Macedonia on October 3, and a home game versus Slovenia on October 6. The schedule continues later in the year with further encounters against the same opponents, offering the new‑look side ample opportunity to gel and push for promotion. Binks also drew parallels between his international situation and his club life, noting that both involve adapting to new leadership. "I know what it’s like because I’ve got a new manager at my club now and it’s taking a bit of time, so I imagine it’s the same sort of process here," he said.
He emphasized the importance of collective buy‑in: "It’s just about getting the players on board and buying into everything the manager wants to do. It’s been early days, but I think everyone is fully on board and believes in what we can do as a country." The squad list released by the Scottish FA includes a mix of seasoned professionals and promising talents across all positions. Goalkeepers named are Scott Bain (Falkirk), Angus Gunn (San Jose Earthquakes), Liam Kelly (Rangers) and Jon McCracken (Bradford City).
The defensive line features 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). Midfield options include Ryan Christie (Bournemouth), Lewis Ferguson (Bologna), Billy Gilmour (Napoli), John McGinn (Aston Villa), Josh McPake (Hearts), Lennon Miller (Udinese) and Kristie Montgomery (Blackburn Rovers). Up front, the forwards listed are 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 article also reminded fans how to stay connected with Sky Sports via WhatsApp for the latest updates, videos and analysis.
It listed the match dates and kick‑off times for the Nations League fixtures, and even promoted a Super 6 competition with a chance to win £1 million. In summary, Luis Binks’ senior debut for Scotland represents both a personal milestone and a symbolic moment for a national team in transition. His unwavering desire to wear the Scottish jersey, combined with Pocognoli’s inclusive approach, sets a hopeful tone for the upcoming campaign as the side strives to regain its place among Europe’s elite in the Nations League.