"Scotland Was Always My Choice" – Binks Thrilled by First Senior Call‑Up

Luis Binks, the 25‑year‑old centre‑back who captains Brøndby IF, has finally realised a long‑standing ambition: representing Scotland at senior level. Having featured for both Scotland and England at under‑21 level, Binks said he never needed any persuasion when new national team manager Sébastien Pocognoli invited him to join his inaugural 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," he told Sky Sports News, emphasizing that his decision was driven by a deep personal connection rather than external pressure. Pocognoli, who took over after Steve Clarke’s tenure ended, has made it clear that he will not try to coerce dual‑eligible players into choosing Scotland. Binks echoed this stance, explaining that any attempt to convince him would have been unnecessary. "I didn’t need any convincing; I was available.

I wanted to play for Scotland. It’s where my heart is and where I want to go," he said, adding that the call‑up felt like the natural continuation of a path he had always envisioned.

The new Scotland squad is a blend of fresh faces and a few familiar names. Six players, including Binks, receive their first full senior call‑up, while only three of Clarke’s World Cup‑final‑year regulars – Scott McTominay, Lawrence Shankland and Che Adams – miss out due to injury. This overhaul reflects Pocognoli’s desire to build a team that can regain its place in Nations League Group A after being relegated following a playoff loss to Greece. Binks reflected on his earlier experiences with the Scottish set‑up, recalling a trip to Bologna with teammate Aaron Hickey when both were still under‑21 players.

"I could play for the 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 said. He fondly remembered his time with the under‑16s, describing the atmosphere as "a proper team, just normal lads, feeling like you were playing with your mates." That camaraderie, he believes, is something he hopes to recapture at senior level. The upcoming schedule will see Scotland begin their Pocognoli era in Ljubljana on Saturday, followed by a home clash against Switzerland at Hampden Park three days later.

The team will then travel to Skopje for the North Macedonia match on 3 October before returning to Glasgow for the final Nations League fixture against Slovenia on 6 October. These games represent a crucial opportunity for the new manager to assess his squad, integrate fresh talent and establish a playing style capable of propelling Scotland back to the top tier. Binks also drew parallels between the national team transition and his own club situation, noting that he has recently adjusted to a new manager at Brøndby. "It’s taking a bit of time, so I imagine it’s the same sort of process here," he observed.

He stressed that success will hinge on players buying into the manager’s vision and committing fully to the collective goal. "It’s just about getting the players on board and believing in what we can do as a country," he added. Beyond the personal narrative, the article listed the full Scotland roster for the Nations League window, highlighting a mixture of domestic and overseas talent across all positions. Goalkeepers include Scott Bain (Falkirk), Angus Gunn (San Jose Earthquakes), Liam Kelly (Rangers) and Jon McCracken (Bradford City).

The defensive line features Binks himself, alongside 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 range from Ryan Christie (Bournemouth) and Lewis Ferguson (Bologna) to Billy Gilmour (Napoli), John McGinn (Aston Villa) and several younger prospects. Up front, Kieron Bowie (Sassuolo), Findlay Curtis (Rangers) and others round out the attacking choices. The piece also provided practical information for fans, including streaming options for Sky Sports, upcoming match dates and kick‑off times, and a reminder to follow Sky Sports on WhatsApp for the latest updates.

While the core of the story centers on Binks’s heartfelt pride at earning his first senior cap, the broader context underscores Scotland’s transitional phase under Pocognoli, the ambition to climb back to Nations League Group A, and the collective resolve of a squad eager to forge a new identity on the international stage.