Luis Binks, the 25‑year‑old centre‑back who captains Brøndby in Denmark, has finally earned his first senior cap for Scotland. The defender, who has represented both England and Scotland at under‑21 level, said he never needed any persuasion from the new national team boss, Sebastien Pocognoli, when the coach announced his intention to include him in the 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, his voice brimming with emotion. The sentiment reflects a long‑standing personal ambition: ever since his teenage years, the Scottish jersey has represented more than just a footballing badge – it has been a symbol of belonging and identity. Pocognoli, who took over after Steve Clarke’s tenure ended, has made it clear that he will not pressure dual‑nationality players to choose Scotland.
Binks echoed this philosophy, arguing that any player who feels a genuine connection to the nation should be free to decide without external coercion. "If he had to try and convince me, or anyone, it’s probably not the right thing for the player," the defender explained. "I didn’t need any convincing; I was available.
I wanted to play for Scotland. I’ve wanted to play for Scotland for years and now the opportunity has come, I’m just really proud. It’s where you feel your heart is and where you want to go.
This was the route I wanted to take." The call‑up comes as part of a refreshed Scotland squad for the Nations League, with six newcomers, including Binks, selected for the fixtures against Slovenia, North Macedonia and Switzerland. The team is undergoing a substantial overhaul: twelve players who featured in Steve Clarke’s final World Cup squad are missing, either due to injury or being omitted, leaving only Scott McTominay, Lawrence Shankland and Che Adams sidelined by physical setbacks.
While the environment is new, Binks will find familiar faces among his teammates. He recalled a previous experience with fellow defender Aaron Hickey during a training stint in Bologna, where Hickey received his own call‑up. "It was a few years ago that I was with Aaron Hickey in Bologna and he got called up while we were there," Binks said. "I could play for the under‑21s at the time and nothing ever came up, but it was always, Scotland was always the one for me that I wanted to go and play for." Binks also reflected on his earlier youth internationals, noting the strong camaraderie he felt with his Scottish peers.
"Going back years ago, under‑16s when I went away with Scotland, the vibe was just so good. 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 added.
The Pocognoli era officially kicks off in Ljubljana on Saturday with a friendly against Slovenia, followed by a Nations League clash with Switzerland at Hampden Park three days later. Afterward, the squad will travel to Skopje for the match against North Macedonia on October 3 before returning to Glasgow for a second encounter with Slovenia on October 6. Scotland’s recent history in the Nations League has been mixed.
After a play‑off defeat to Greece last year, the team was relegated from League A to League B, meaning they must now fight for promotion back to the top tier. Binks is aware of the stakes. "Obviously we want to get to the A group of the Nations League but there are a lot of new faces, a lot of new management, new ways of playing," he said. "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.
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, announced alongside Binks’ inclusion, features a blend of seasoned internationals and emerging talents. Goalkeepers include Scott Bain (Falkirk), Angus Gunn (San Jose Earthquakes), Liam Kelly (Rangers) and Jon McCracken (Bradford City).
The defensive line combines experience and youth: 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). In midfield, the roster lists 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, forwards such as Kieron Bowie (Sassuolo), Findlay Curtis (Rangers), Ben Gannon‑Doak (Bournemouth), Oli McBurnie (Hull City), Robbie Ure (Sevilla) and James Wilson (Hearts) will compete for scoring opportunities.
Beyond the on‑field considerations, the call‑up holds personal significance for Binks. Growing up with Scottish heritage on both sides of his family, he has always felt a deep emotional tie to the nation. The chance to represent Scotland at senior level is the culmination of years of dedication, training, and a steadfast belief that his footballing future lies north of the border. As the Nations League campaign unfolds, Binks will look to translate his club form into international success, contributing to a defensive unit that aims to restore Scotland’s standing in European football.
His story underscores the broader narrative of dual‑nationality players navigating complex identity decisions, and it highlights the importance of national associations respecting player autonomy. Fans can follow the upcoming fixtures through Sky Sports’ streaming platforms, with matches scheduled 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, Scotland vs Slovenia on October 6 at 19:45, Scotland vs North Macedonia on November 13 at 19:45, and Switzerland vs Scotland on November 16 at 19:45. The Scottish Football Association hopes that the fresh blend of talent, including Binks’ enthusiasm and commitment, will propel the team back to the top tier of the Nations League and reignite the passion of supporters across the country.