Luis Binks, the 25‑year‑old centre‑back who captains Brøndby in Denmark, has finally received the senior Scotland jersey he has dreamed of for years. Although he has represented both England and Scotland at under‑21 level, Binks did not need any persuasion when new national team manager Sébastien Pocognoli announced his intention to include him in the first senior squad of his tenure. In a candid interview with Sky Sports News, the defender explained that the decision was instinctive – he had always felt his heart belonged to Scotland and was eager to answer the call.
"I’ve wanted to play for Scotland for years, and now the opportunity has come. I’m just really proud," Binks said, emphasizing how personal the moment felt. The call‑up comes as part of a broader refresh of the Scottish side, with six newcomers added to the roster for the upcoming Nations League fixtures against Slovenia, North Macedonia and Switzerland. Binks is among those fresh faces, alongside other emerging talents, as Pocognoli seeks to rebuild a squad that missed the 2022 World Cup and is now aiming to climb back into League A after a relegation to League B.
Pocognoli has made it clear that he will not pressure dual‑eligible players to choose Scotland, a stance that resonated with Binks. "If he had to try and convince me, convince anyone, it’s probably not the right thing for the player," Binks explained. "I didn’t need any convincing; I was available. I wanted to play for Scotland.
It’s where you feel your heart is and where you want to go. This was the route I wanted to take." Binks reflected on his earlier experiences with the Scottish youth set‑up, recalling a trip to Bologna with fellow defender Aaron Hickey where Hickey received his own senior call‑up. "I could play for the under‑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," Binks said. He remembered his first involvement with the under‑16 side, describing the atmosphere as "proper team" vibes, where the squad felt like a group of mates rather than strangers.
That sense of camaraderie, he believes, is what draws him back now. The upcoming schedule will see Pocognoli’s side travel to Ljubljana for a match against Slovenia on September 26, before heading to Hampden Park for a high‑profile clash with Switzerland three days later.
The team will then fly to North Macedonia on October 3 and return to Glasgow for a second meeting with Slovenia on October 6. These fixtures represent a crucial test for the new manager, who must integrate a blend of seasoned internationals and fresh talent while navigating the challenges of a revamped tactical approach. Scotland’s recent history adds extra weight to the mission. After a play‑off defeat to Greece last year, the nation dropped from Nations League A to B, meaning the current campaign is as much about redemption as it is about progress.
Binks acknowledged the ambition: "Obviously we want to get back 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. 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." He likened the transition at the international level to his club experience, where adaptation to a new coach’s philosophy requires patience and collective buy‑in. "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 added. The squad list, as announced, includes a mix of domestic and overseas talent. Goalkeepers such as Scott Bain (Falkirk), Angus Gunn (San Jose Earthquakes) and Liam Kelly (Rangers) will compete for the starting spot.
The defensive line features not only Binks but also 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 likes of Ryan Christie (Bournemouth), Lewis Ferguson (Bologna), Billy Gilmour (Napoli), John McGinn (Aston Villa), Josh McPake (Hearts), Lennon Miller (Udinese) and Kristie Montgomery (Blackburn Rovers) will vie for places. Up front, forwards Kieron Bowie (Sassuolo), Findlay Curtis (Rangers), Ben Gannon‑Doak (Bournemouth), Oli McBurnie (Hull City), Robbie Ure (Sevilla) and James Wilson (Hearts) round out the attacking options.
Beyond the on‑field implications, Binks’ story underscores the broader narrative of identity and belonging that many dual‑nationality players face. His unwavering desire to represent Scotland, despite having the option to pursue England, highlights how personal connection often outweighs purely pragmatic considerations.
As Pocognoli’s tenure unfolds, the manager’s willingness to respect players’ own affiliations may foster a stronger, more cohesive squad. Fans can follow the progress of the team via Sky Sports’ various platforms, including a dedicated WhatsApp channel that offers news, video highlights, analysis and more. The upcoming fixtures are set for the following dates and times: 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, and Scotland vs Slovenia on October 6 at 19:45.
Additional matches later in the year include Scotland vs North Macedonia on November 13 and Switzerland vs Scotland on November 16, both slated for 19:45 kick‑offs. In summary, Luis Binks’ first senior call‑up is more than a personal milestone; it symbolizes a new chapter for Scottish football under Pocognoli, a blend of youthful enthusiasm and seasoned experience aiming to restore the nation’s standing in European competition. His heartfelt pride and clear sense of purpose serve as a reminder that, for many players, the jersey they wear is as much about identity as it is about sport.