Luis Binks, the Brøndby‑based centre‑back, has finally realized a long‑standing dream: representing Scotland at senior level. The 25‑year‑old, who has previously featured for both the Scottish and English under‑21 sides, said he never needed any persuasion when new national team manager Sébastien Pocognoli invited him to join the squad for the upcoming Nations League fixtures.
"I’ve wanted to play for Scotland for years, and now the chance has arrived. I’m genuinely proud," Binks told Sky Sports News.
Binks is among six newcomers to receive a full senior call‑up for the matches against Slovenia, North Macedonia and Switzerland. Pocognoli has made it clear that he will not pressure dual‑eligible players to choose Scotland, a stance that resonates with Binks.
"If a manager had to beg a player to pick Scotland, that probably isn’t the right environment for the player," he explained. "I didn’t need any convincing – I was already available and eager." The defender emphasized that his decision was guided by where his heart lies. "It’s where you feel your heart is and where you want to go.
This was the path I wanted to take," he said. The new Scotland set‑up under Pocognoli marks a significant shift, with twelve members of Steve Clarke’s World Cup‑qualifying squad absent, leaving only Scott McTominay, Lawrence Shankland and Che Adams out through injury.
While the senior camp is largely unfamiliar, Binks noted that a few familiar faces are present. He recalled a previous experience with fellow defender Aaron Hickey during a stint in Bologna, when Hickey received a call‑up while they were both abroad. "I could play for the under‑21s at the time, but nothing materialised.
Scotland has always been the one I wanted to represent," Binks reflected. He reminisced about his early days with the Scotland under‑16s, describing the atmosphere as "proper team" vibes, where the players felt like mates rather than strangers.
"It felt like a proper team, just normal lads, and you felt you were playing with your friends. That feeling has always stuck with me, and I wanted to return to that environment," he added. The Pocognoli era officially kicks off in Ljubljana on Saturday, with Scotland facing Switzerland at Hampden Park three days later. The squad will then travel to North Macedonia on October 3 before returning to Glasgow for a second clash with Slovenia on October 6.
After a play‑off loss to Greece last year, Scotland were relegated from Nations League A and will now compete in the second tier, aiming to regain promotion. Binks acknowledged the challenges of a rebuilding phase.
"Obviously we want to get back to the A group of the Nations League, but there are many new faces, new management and new playing styles," he said. He drew a parallel with his club situation, noting that he too has a new manager at Brøndby, which requires an adjustment period. "It’s about getting the players on board and buying into everything the manager wants to do. It’s early days, but I think everyone is fully on board and believes in what we can achieve as a nation," Binks asserted.
The full squad list includes goalkeepers Scott Bain (Falkirk), Angus Gunn (San Jose Earthquakes), Liam Kelly (Rangers) and Jon McCracken (Bradford City). Defenders feature 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).
The midfield includes 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 attacking options are Kieron Bowie (Sassuolo), Findlay Curtis (Rangers), Ben Gannon‑Doak (Bournemouth), Oli McBurnie (Hull City), Robbie Ure (Sevilla) and James Wilson (Hearts). Fans can follow the latest updates via Sky Sports’ WhatsApp channel, which provides news, videos, analysis and more. The upcoming fixtures are scheduled as follows: Slovenia vs Scotland on 26 September at 14:00, Scotland vs Switzerland on 29 September at 19:45, North Macedonia vs Scotland on 3 October at 19:45, and Scotland vs Slovenia on 6 October at 19:45.
Additional matches later in the year include Scotland vs North Macedonia on 13 November and Switzerland vs Scotland on 16 November, both kicking off at 19:45. Binks’ enthusiasm underscores a broader narrative of players with dual eligibility choosing the nation they feel most connected to, rather than being swayed by external pressure. His story reflects a genuine affinity for Scotland, cultivated through youth experiences and a desire to contribute to the national team’s resurgence.
As the new manager settles in and the squad gels, Binks and his teammates will aim to restore Scotland’s standing in the Nations League and perhaps lay the groundwork for future success on the international stage.