Luis Binks, the 25‑year‑old defender who captains Brondby in Denmark, has finally received his first senior call‑up for Scotland, and his excitement is palpable. "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 how long he has dreamed of wearing the national jersey. Binks' international journey has been unusual.
He has represented both Scotland and England at under‑21 level, reflecting his dual eligibility. However, when new Scotland manager Sebastien Pocognoli announced his intention to include Binks in his inaugural squad for the Nations League fixtures, the defender did not need any persuasion. "I didn't need any convincing; I was available," Binks explained.
"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." The call‑up comes as part of a broader overhaul of the Scotland team. Pocognoli has introduced a fresh batch of players, handing six newcomers their first full‑senior caps for matches against Slovenia, North Macedonia and Switzerland.
The overhaul also sees a significant turnover from Steve Clarke's World Cup squad, with only three of those players—Scott McTominay, Lawrence Shankland and Che Adams—missing out due to injury. The new‑look side reflects Pocognoli's philosophy of building a squad that feels authentic and cohesive, rather than merely assembling talent. Binks' decision aligns with Pocognoli's stance that players should not be pressured into choosing Scotland. "I think if he had to try and convince me, convince anyone, it's probably not the right thing for the player," Binks said, echoing the manager's belief that national allegiance must come from the heart.
"It's where you feel your heart is and where you want to go. This was the route I wanted to take." The defender also recalled earlier moments that cemented his affection for the Scottish setup.
While on a club trip to Bologna a few years ago, he saw teammate Aaron Hickey receive a call‑up, prompting him to reflect on his own ambitions. "I could play for the 21s at the time and nothing ever coming up but it was always, Scotland was always the one for me that I wanted to go and play for," he recalled. He remembered his time with the under‑16s, describing the atmosphere as "just so good" and likening the squad to a group of mates rather than a formal team.
"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," Binks added. The upcoming schedule will see Scotland begin the Pocognoli era in Ljubljana on Saturday against Slovenia, before facing Switzerland at Hampden Park three days later. The team will then travel to North Macedonia on October 3 and return to Glasgow for a second meeting with Slovenia on October 6.
These fixtures are crucial for a nation that was relegated from Nations League A after a play‑off loss to Greece last year and now seeks promotion back to the top tier. Binks is realistic about the challenges ahead. "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 with his own club situation, noting that he has recently adjusted to a new manager at Brondby and that the adaptation period takes time.
"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," Binks concluded. The squad list released by the Scottish FA includes a blend of seasoned professionals and emerging talents. Goalkeepers: Scott Bain (Falkirk), Angus Gunn (San Jose Earthquakes), Liam Kelly (Rangers) and Jon McCracken (Bradford City).
Defenders: Luis Binks (Brondby), 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). Midfielders: Ryan Christie (Bournemouth), Lewis Ferguson (Bologna), Billy Gilmour (Napoli), John McGinn (Aston Villa), Josh McPake (Hearts), Lennon Miller (Udinese) and Kristie Montgomery (Blackburn Rovers). Forwards: 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 implications, Binks' story underscores a broader theme in modern football: the importance of personal identity and emotional connection in national team selection.
As players with multiple eligibilities navigate their careers, the decision to represent a particular country often hinges on where they feel most at home, rather than purely on competitive prospects. For Binks, the pull of Scotland has always been strong, and his debut will be a milestone not only for him personally but also for a side eager to rebuild its reputation on the international stage.
Fans can follow the team's progress via Sky Sports' various platforms, including a flexible streaming option through the NOW service and a dedicated Sky Sports app that offers a personalized video feed. The association also encourages supporters to stay connected via WhatsApp for the latest news, videos, analysis and more.
Key match dates are as follows: Slovenia vs Scotland on September 26 (kick‑off 2 pm), Scotland vs Switzerland on September 29 (7.45 pm), North Macedonia vs Scotland on October 3 (7.45 pm), Scotland vs Slovenia on October 6 (7.45 pm), Scotland vs North Macedonia on November 13 (7.45 pm) and Switzerland vs Scotland on November 16 (7.45 pm). Additionally, Sky Sports is running a Super 6 competition with a £1 million prize, offering fans a chance to win big while supporting their team.