Luis Binks, the 25‑year‑old centre‑back who captains Brøndby, has finally received his first senior call‑up for Scotland and could not hide his excitement. "I have wanted to wear the Scotland shirt for years, and now the chance has arrived.
I am genuinely proud," he told Sky Sports News after the announcement. Binks’ international journey has been unusual. He has represented both Scotland and England at under‑21 level, but when new Scotland manager Sebastien Pocognoli announced his intention to include Binks in the inaugural squad of his tenure, the defender did not need any persuasion.
"I didn’t need any convincing – I was already available and eager," Binks said. "My heart has always been with Scotland, and when the opportunity finally presented itself, I felt a huge sense of pride." Pocognoli, who took over after Steve Clarke’s departure, made it clear that he would not pressure dual‑eligible players to choose Scotland. Binks echoed that sentiment, arguing that a player should not be forced into a decision.
"If a manager has to try and convince me, or anyone, it’s probably not the right fit for the player," he explained. The call‑up comes as part of a broader overhaul of the national side.
Six players, including Binks, earned their first full caps for the Nations League fixtures against Slovenia, North Macedonia and Switzerland. The squad also features a mix of seasoned internationals and fresh faces, reflecting Pocognoli’s desire to inject new energy into the team after a disappointing relegation from Nations League A following a play‑off loss to Greece. Binks’ path to the senior team has been marked by several memorable moments. He recalled a trip to Bologna a few years ago when teammate Aaron Hickey received his own call‑up while they were both in Italy.
"Back then I was still playing for the under‑21s and nothing else seemed to materialise, but Scotland was always the one I wanted to represent," Binks said. He also reflected on his experiences with the Scotland under‑16s, describing the atmosphere as "genuine, like playing with mates" – a feeling he hopes to recapture at senior level. The upcoming schedule will see Scotland travel to Ljubljana for a match against Switzerland on September 29, before heading to North Macedonia on October 3 and returning to Glasgow for a final Nations League game against Slovenia on October 6. The team will also face Slovenia again on September 26 and later in the year, with additional fixtures against North Macedonia and Switzerland slated for November.
Binks acknowledged the challenges ahead, noting that the transition to a new manager at both club and country can be a slow process. "I know what it’s like because I have a new manager at my club now, and it takes time for everyone to adapt. I imagine it’s similar for the national side," he said.
"It’s about getting the players on board, buying into the manager’s ideas, and believing in what we can achieve together." He expressed optimism about Scotland’s ambitions to return to Nations League A. "We all want to get back to the top tier, but there are many new faces and a fresh tactical approach.
It’s early days, but I feel everyone is fully committed and believes in our potential as a nation," Binks added. The full squad list released by the Scottish FA includes a blend of domestic and overseas talent. Goalkeepers are Scott Bain (Falkirk), Angus Gunn (San Jose Earthquakes), Liam Kelly (Rangers) and Jon McCracken (Bradford City).
Defenders feature Binks himself (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) and Stephen Welsh (Swansea City). The midfield includes Ryan Christie (Bournemouth), Lewis Ferguson (Bologna), Billy Gilmour (Napoli), John McGinn (Aston Villa), Josh McPake (Hearts), Lennon Miller (Udinese) and Kristie Montgomery (Blackburn Rovers). Up front, the attacking options are Kieron Bowie (Sassuolo), Findlay Curtis (Rangers), Ben Gannon‑Doak (Bournemouth), Oli McBurnie (Hull City), Robbie Ure (Sevilla) and James Wilson (Hearts). Fans can follow all the latest updates, video highlights and in‑depth analysis through Sky Sports’ WhatsApp channel.
The upcoming Nations League 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 kicking off at 19:45. Beyond the on‑field action, Sky Sports is also running a Super 6 competition, offering fans a chance to win £1 million with free entry. The promotion runs alongside the international fixtures, giving supporters plenty of reasons to stay engaged with Scottish football throughout the season.