Luis Binks, the 25‑year‑old centre‑back who captains Danish side Brøndby, has finally achieved a lifelong ambition: representing Scotland at senior level. The defender, who has previously featured for both the Scotland and England under‑21 sides, said he never needed any persuasion when new national team manager Sébastien 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, underscoring the deep personal connection he feels to the nation. Binks is one of six newcomers handed their first full‑international caps for the Nations League fixtures against Slovenia, North Macedonia and Switzerland.
The selection marks a significant shift in Scotland’s roster under Pocognoli, who has opted to rebuild with fresh talent after a disappointing campaign that saw the country drop from League A following a play‑off loss to Greece. Only three players from Steve Clarke’s World Cup‑qualifying squad – Scott McTominay, Lawrence Shankland and Che Adams – remain, the latter two sidelined by injury. The new manager has been 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, or 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 your heart is, and that’s the path I wanted to follow." Binks reflected on his earlier experiences with the Scottish youth set‑ups, recalling a memorable trip to Bologna with teammate Aaron Hickey. "I was playing for the under‑21s at the time and nothing else materialised, but Scotland was always the one for me," he said. He described his time with the under‑16s as a period when the atmosphere felt like a close‑knit group of friends.
"It felt like a proper team, just normal lads, and you felt like you were playing with your mates. I knew there was always that feeling around it, and I wanted to be part of it again." The Pocognoli era officially kicks off in Ljubljana on Saturday, where Scotland will face Slovenia before moving on to a clash with Switzerland at Hampden Park three days later. The squad will then travel to North Macedonia on October 3 and return to Glasgow for a second encounter with Slovenia on October 6.
The schedule continues into November with further fixtures against North Macedonia and Switzerland. While the national team is undergoing a transformation, Binks draws parallels with his own club situation, having recently adjusted to a new manager at Brøndby.
"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 noted. "It’s about getting the players on board and buying into everything the manager wants to do.
It’s early days, but I think everyone is fully on board and believes in what we can achieve as a country." Scotland’s immediate aim is to regain a place in Nations League A, a target that will require cohesion among the influx of fresh faces and the integration of seasoned professionals. Binks is optimistic about the collective resolve.
"Obviously we want to get back to the A group, but there are a lot of new faces, new management, new ways of playing. It’s a rebuilding phase, but the belief is there," he said. The full squad list showcases a blend of domestic and overseas talent.
Goalkeepers include Scott Bain (Falkirk), Angus Gunn (San Jose Earthquakes), Liam Kelly (Rangers) and Jon McCracken (Bradford City). The defensive line features Binks himself, along with Josh Doig (Sassuolo), Colby Donovan (Celtic), Luke Graham (Stoke City), Jack Hendry (Al‑Ettifaq), Aaron Hickey (Brentford), Scott McKenna (Dinamo Zagreb), Nathan Patterson (Torino) and the veteran Andy Robertson (Tottenham). Midfield options comprise 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, Scotland can call upon Kieron Bowie (Sassuolo), Findlay Curtis (Rangers), Ben Gannon‑Doak (Bournemouth), Oli McBurnie (Hull City), Robbie Ure (Sevilla) and James Wilson (Hearts). Beyond the on‑field considerations, Binks emphasized the emotional pull of wearing the Scottish jersey. "It’s where you feel your heart is and where you want to go. This was the route I wanted to take," he said, echoing the sentiment of many dual‑nationality players who must weigh personal identity against professional opportunity.
His story illustrates how national allegiance can be a deeply personal decision rather than a strategic career move. Fans can follow the team’s progress via Sky Sports’ digital platforms, including a flexible streaming option through the Sky Sports app and updates on WhatsApp. The upcoming fixtures are slated 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, followed by November match‑ups against North Macedonia (13 Nov, 19:45) and Switzerland (16 Nov, 19:45).
The national side hopes that the infusion of youthful enthusiasm, combined with experienced leadership, will propel Scotland back to the top tier of the Nations League and restore pride among its supporters.