Luis Binks, the 25‑year‑old centre‑back who captains Brøndby in Denmark, has finally realised a lifelong 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 Sebastien Pocognoli invited him to join his inaugural squad. "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, expressing the deep personal satisfaction that comes from wearing the Tartan Army jersey. Pocognoli’s first selection list for the Nations League fixtures against Slovenia, North Macedonia and Switzerland includes six newcomers, Binks among them. The coach has made it clear that he will not pressure dual‑eligible players to choose Scotland, a stance that resonated strongly with the Danish‑based defender. "If he had to try and convince me, or anyone, it probably isn’t the right thing for the player," Binks explained.
"I didn’t need any convincing; I was available. 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." For Binks, the decision is as much about heart as it is about career progression. "It’s where you feel your heart is and where you want to go. This was the route I wanted to take," he added, underscoring the emotional pull that the Scottish setup has always held for him.
The new‑look side under Pocognoli is undergoing a significant transition, with twelve members of Steve Clarke’s World Cup‑ending squad absent, only Scott McTominay, Lawrence Shankland and Che Adams missing due to injury. While the environment is fresh, Binks will find familiar faces among his teammates. He recalled an earlier moment in his career when he was in Bologna with fellow Scottish youngster Aaron Hickey. "It was a few years ago that I was with Aaron Hickey in Bologna and he got called up while we were there.
I could play for the under‑21s at the time and nothing ever came up, but it was always, Scotland was always the one for me that I wanted to go and play for," Binks said. He reflected on his time with the Scotland under‑16s, describing the atmosphere as "just so good" and the squad as a group of "normal lads" who felt like friends.
"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 added. The Pocognoli era officially kicks off in Ljubljana on Saturday with a friendly against Slovenia, followed by a Nations League clash with Switzerland at Hampden Park three days later.
The team will then travel to North Macedonia on October 3 before returning to Glasgow for a second encounter with Slovenia on October 6. Scotland, having been relegated from Nations League A after a playoff loss to Greece last year, are eager to climb back to the top tier. "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," Binks observed. He drew a parallel between his experience at the national level and the recent changes at his club.
"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," he said. Binks believes the squad is already buying into Pocognoli’s vision. "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 squad list, as released by the Scottish FA, 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). Fans can follow the team’s progress via Sky Sports’ WhatsApp channel for the latest news, video highlights, analysis and more. The upcoming fixtures are scheduled as follows: 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, Scotland vs Slovenia on October 6 at 19:45, Scotland vs North Macedonia on November 13 at 19:45, and Switzerland vs Scotland on November 16 at 19:45.
In addition, Sky Sports is running a Super 6 competition, offering fans a chance to win £1 million for free. Binks’ story is a reminder that international allegiance often goes beyond tactical considerations; it is rooted in identity, community and personal pride.
As he steps onto the pitch in a Scotland shirt for the first time, he carries with him the hopes of a nation and the conviction that he has finally taken the path his heart has long indicated.