Luis Binks, the 25‑year‑old centre‑back who captains Brøndby in Denmark, has finally earned his first senior call‑up for Scotland. The defender, who has represented both England and Scotland at under‑21 level, said the invitation from new national team manager Sébastien Pocognoli felt like a natural step rather than a decision he needed to be persuaded about.
"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 when asked about his excitement. The sentiment echoes a long‑standing personal connection to the Scottish side; Binks grew up watching the national team and dreamed of wearing the Tartan Kilt. When Pocognoli announced his intention to include Binks in the squad for the upcoming Nations League fixtures, the defender did not hesitate.
He explained that he never needed any convincing because his heart was already set on representing Scotland. "It’s where you feel your heart is and where you want to go. This was the route I wanted to take," he added.
Pocognoli, who took over after Steve Clarke’s tenure ended, has made a clear statement that he will not pressure dual‑eligible players into choosing Scotland. Binks agreed, saying that any attempt to persuade a player would be counter‑productive. "I think if he had to try and convince me, convince anyone, it’s probably not the right thing for the player," Binks said, underscoring his belief that personal conviction should drive the decision.
The call‑up marks Binks’ first senior cap, and he joins five other newcomers who have also been handed their inaugural full‑international summons for the Nations League matches against Slovenia, North Macedonia and Switzerland. The squad, which will travel to Ljubljana for the opening game, is a markedly different group from the one that qualified for the World Cup under Clarke. Only three players – Scott McTominay, Lawrence Shankland and Che Adams – remain from that World Cup roster, and they are all sidelined by injury for the upcoming fixtures.
While the environment is fresh, Binks will find familiar faces within the camp. He recalled a previous experience in Bologna when fellow Scot Aaron Hickey received a call‑up while they were both in Italy. "It was a few years ago that I was with Aaron Hickey in Bologna and he got called up while we were there," Binks reminisced.
That memory reinforced his belief that Scotland had always been his preferred destination. Binks also reflected on his youth international experiences, noting the strong camaraderie he felt at the under‑16 level. "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 said. Those early impressions have stayed with him and now shape his ambition for the senior side. The new Scotland under Pocognoli will commence its campaign in Ljubljana on Saturday, before returning to Hampden Park for a clash with Switzerland three days later.
The team will then head to Skopje for the North Macedonia match on October 3 and finish the September‑October window back in Glasgow against Slovenia on October 6. Scotland’s recent relegation from Nations League A after a play‑off loss to Greece last year means the side is now competing in League B, with the aim of regaining a place among Europe’s elite. Binks acknowledged the challenge but expressed optimism. "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.
He drew a parallel to his own club situation, where a new manager at Brøndby is still implementing his ideas. "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," Binks explained.
He added that the early days of this transition have been positive, with the squad appearing united and eager to contribute to the nation’s footballing future. "It’s been early days, but I think everyone is fully on board and believes in what we can do as a country," he concluded. The full Scotland squad for the upcoming Nations League window includes a mix of seasoned internationals and promising youngsters. Goalkeepers named are 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 roster 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 squad’s progress via Sky Sports’ various platforms, including WhatsApp updates for news, videos, analysis and more. The match schedule is 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, Scotland vs Slovenia on 6 October at 19:45, Scotland vs North Macedonia on 13 November at 19:45, and Switzerland vs Scotland on 16 November at 19:45.
Beyond the on‑field action, Sky Sports is running a Super 6 competition where participants can win a £1 million prize, with free entry available for fans. Binks’ debut represents both a personal milestone and a symbol of the fresh direction Scottish football is taking under Pocognoli’s leadership, and supporters will be watching closely to see how the new generation performs on the international stage.