Luis Binks, the 25‑year‑old centre‑back who captains Brøndby, has finally realized a long‑standing ambition: representing Scotland at senior level. The defender, who previously featured for both the Scottish and English under‑21 sides, said he never needed any persuasion when new national team manager Sébastien Pocognoli approached him for his inaugural senior squad. "I’ve wanted to play for Scotland for years, and now the chance has arrived. I’m incredibly proud," Binks told Sky Sports News.
Binks is among a group of six newcomers handed their first full‑international call‑ups for Scotland’s upcoming Nations League fixtures against Slovenia, North Macedonia and Switzerland. Pocognoli has made it clear that he will not pressure dual‑eligible players to choose the Scottish jersey, a stance that resonated with the young defender.
"If a manager has to convince me, or anyone, it probably isn’t the right decision for the player," Binks explained. "I didn’t need any convincing; I was ready." He emphasized that his decision was guided by where his heart lay.
"It’s about where you feel you belong and where you want to go. This was the path I wanted to follow," he added, underscoring the personal significance of the call‑up.
Pocognoli’s first‑team selection marks a clear shift from the Steve Clarke era. Twelve players who featured in Clarke’s final World Cup squad are absent, with only Scott McTominay, Lawrence Shankland and Che Adams missing due to injury. Despite the turnover, Binks noted that familiar faces still exist within the camp, providing a sense of continuity.
He recalled a previous encounter with fellow defender Aaron Hickey in Bologna, where Hickey received his own senior call‑up while the two were training together. "Back then I was playing for the under‑21s and nothing else seemed to happen, but Scotland was always the team I wanted to represent," Binks said.
He reflected on his early experiences with the Scottish youth set‑up, recalling a trip with the under‑16s that left a lasting impression. "The atmosphere was fantastic – it felt like a proper team of ordinary lads, like playing with mates. That feeling stuck with me, and I’ve always wanted to return to that environment," he said.
The Pocognoli era officially begins in Ljubljana on Saturday, when Scotland face Slovenia, followed by a home clash with Switzerland at Hampden Park three days later. The squad will then travel to North Macedonia on October 3 before concluding the September‑October window back in Glasgow for a second meeting with Slovenia on October 6.
After being relegated from Nations League A following a play‑off loss to Greece last year, Scotland now competes in the second tier and hopes to regain its place among Europe’s elite. Binks acknowledged the challenges of rebuilding a team under new leadership. "We all want to get back to the A group of the Nations League, but there are many new faces, a new manager and fresh tactics to adapt to," he said. Drawing a parallel with his own club situation, where he recently began working under a new manager, Binks recognised that adjustment periods are inevitable.
"It takes time for everyone to understand the new system, both at club and international level. The key is getting the players on board and buying into the manager’s vision," he explained. He expressed confidence that the squad is already aligned with the new direction. "It’s still early days, but I feel everyone is fully committed and believes in what we can achieve for Scotland," Binks added.
Below is the full squad list announced for the Nations League campaign: Goalkeepers: Scott Bain (Falkirk), Angus Gunn (San Jose Earthquakes), Liam Kelly (Rangers), Jon McCracken (Bradford City) Defenders: 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), Stephen Welsh (Swansea City) Midfielders: Ryan Christie (Bournemouth), Lewis Ferguson (Bologna), Billy Gilmour (Napoli), John McGinn (Aston Villa), Josh McPake (Hearts), Lennon Miller (Udinese), Kristie Montgomery (Blackburn Rovers) Forwards: Kieron Bowie (Sassuolo), Findlay Curtis (Rangers), Ben Gannon‑Doak (Bournemouth), Oli McBurnie (Hull City), Robbie Ure (Sevilla), James Wilson (Hearts) Scotland’s upcoming fixtures are as follows: - Slovenia vs Scotland – 26 September, 14:00 GMT - Scotland vs Switzerland – 29 September, 19:45 GMT - North Macedonia vs Scotland – 3 October, 19:45 GMT - Scotland vs Slovenia – 6 October, 19:45 GMT - Scotland vs North Macedonia – 13 November, 19:45 GMT - Switzerland vs Scotland – 16 November, 19:45 GMT Fans can stay updated via Sky Sports’ WhatsApp channel for the latest news, videos, analysis and more. Additionally, a Super 6 competition offers a chance to win £1 million, with free entry available for participants.