Luis Binks, the 25‑year‑old centre‑back who captains Brøndby, has finally received the senior Scotland jersey he has coveted for years. After representing 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.
The defender expressed genuine pride and excitement, saying, "I have wanted to play for Scotland for years and now the opportunity has come – I am really proud." Binks was among six newcomers handed their inaugural full‑international call‑ups for the Nations League fixtures against Slovenia, North Macedonia and Switzerland. Pocognoli, who took over the Scotland job after Steve Clarke’s tenure ended, made it clear that he would not pressure dual‑eligible players to choose the Scottish shirt. Binks agreed, noting that any attempt to convince him would have been unnecessary because his heart was already set on representing the nation. "I didn’t need any convincing; I was available.
It’s where you feel your heart is and where you want to go," he told Sky Sports News. "This was the route I wanted to take." The upcoming matches mark the start of a new era for Scotland under Pocognoli. Twelve members of Clarke’s World Cup‑bound squad are absent, leaving only Scott McTominay, Lawrence Shankland and Che Adams sidelined through injury. While the group is largely unfamiliar, Binks highlighted that he already knows a few faces from his youth international days.
He recalled a trip to Bologna a few years ago when teammate Aaron Hickey received a senior call‑up while they were both in Italy. At that time Binks was still playing for the under‑21s and felt that, despite the lack of immediate senior opportunities, his allegiance to Scotland never wavered. "Going back to the under‑16s, when I first travelled with Scotland, the atmosphere was incredible," Binks reflected.
"It felt like a proper team – just normal lads, like playing with friends. That feeling stuck with me, and I have always wanted to be part of it again." The Pocognoli‑led side will kick off its campaign in Ljubljana on Saturday against Slovenia, followed by a home clash with Switzerland at Hampden Park three days later. After that, the squad flies to Skopje for the North Macedonia game on October 3 before returning to Glasgow for a second encounter with Slovenia on October 6. Scotland were relegated from Nations League A after a play‑off loss to Greece last year and now aim to regain promotion.
Binks acknowledged the challenges of a rebuilding phase. "Obviously we want to get back to the A group, but there are many new faces, a new manager and new tactics," he said. Drawing a parallel with his club situation, he noted, "I know what it’s like because I have a new manager at Brøndby, and it takes time to adapt. I imagine it’s the same here – it’s about getting the players on board and buying into the manager’s vision." He added that, despite being in the early stages, the squad appears united and motivated.
"It’s been early days, but I think everyone is fully on board and believes in what we can achieve as a country," Binks affirmed. The full squad list announced by Pocognoli includes: 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 schedule for the Nations League window is 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 Future fixtures include matches against North Macedonia on 13 November and Switzerland on 16 November.
Binks’ story underscores the personal significance of representing one’s chosen nation, especially for players eligible for multiple countries. His journey from youth levels, through a period of uncertainty, to finally earning a senior cap illustrates the perseverance and deep‑seated passion that many dual‑nationality footballers experience. As Scotland looks to rebuild and chase promotion back to Nations League A, the enthusiasm of newcomers like Binks, combined with the experience of established internationals, could provide the blend of energy and stability needed to succeed. Fans can stay updated on the team’s progress via Sky Sports’ various platforms, including a dedicated WhatsApp channel offering the latest news, videos, analysis and more.
Additionally, Sky Sports offers flexible streaming options through its NOW service, allowing supporters to watch live matches and related content on the go. For those interested in a bit of extra excitement, Sky Sports is also running a Super 6 competition, giving participants a chance to win £1 million by entering for free.