Luis Binks, the 25‑year‑old centre‑back who captains Brøndby in Denmark, has finally achieved a lifelong ambition: earning a senior call‑up for Scotland. The defender, who has represented both Scotland and England at under‑21 level, said the invitation from new national team manager Sébastien Pocognoli felt like a natural step, not something that required any persuasion.
"I didn't need any convincing; I was available," Binks told Sky Sports News. "I've wanted to play for Scotland for years and now the opportunity has come, I'm just really proud." Binks' inclusion marks his first full‑senior cap, and he joins five other newcomers in a squad assembled for the Nations League fixtures against Slovenia, North Macedonia and Switzerland. The selection reflects a broader overhaul under Pocognoli, who has chosen to start fresh after the previous manager, Steve Clarke, took the team to the World Cup but left a number of his regulars out of the current roster.
Only three players—Scott McTominay, Lawrence Shankland and Che Adams—miss the squad due to injury; the rest are new faces. The young defender explained that his decision to answer Pocognoli's call was driven by a deep personal connection to Scotland rather than any external pressure.
"I think if he had to try and convince me, convince anyone, it's probably not the right thing for the player," he said. "It’s where you feel your heart is and where you want to go.
This was the route I wanted to take." Binks' journey to this moment began in his teenage years, when he first travelled with the Scotland under‑16 side. He recalled the camaraderie and the sense of belonging that he felt back then: "Going back years ago, under‑16s when I went away with Scotland, the vibe was just so good. 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 also mentioned a memorable episode in Bologna, where he was playing alongside fellow defender Aaron Hickey. Hickey received a senior call‑up while they were both in Italy, reinforcing Binks' belief that Scotland was the nation he wanted to represent at the highest level. "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.
The upcoming Nations League schedule will see Scotland begin the Pocognoli era in Ljubljana on Saturday against Slovenia, before a high‑profile clash with Switzerland at Hampden Park three days later. The team will then travel to North Macedonia on October 3 and finish the group stage back in Glasgow for a second meeting with Slovenia on October 6.
Scotland are currently in League B after being relegated from League A following a play‑off loss to Greece last year, and the squad is eager to regain its place among Europe’s elite. Binks reflected on the challenges of integrating new players and a new coaching philosophy, drawing a parallel with his own club situation. "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 explained. "It's been early days, but I think everyone is fully on board and believes in what we can do as a country." The full squad list includes a blend of experienced internationals and promising youngsters. Goalkeepers: Scott Bain (Falkirk), Angus Gunn (San Jose Earthquakes), Liam Kelly (Rangers) and 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) and Stephen Welsh (Swansea City).
Midfielders: Ryan Christie (Bournemouth), Lewis Ferguson (Bologna), Billy Gilmour (Napoli), John McGinn (Aston Villa), Josh McPake (Hearts), Lennon Miller (Udinese) and Kristie Montgomery (Blackburn Rovers). Forwards: 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 action, the Scottish FA and Sky Sports are promoting fan engagement through digital platforms, including a WhatsApp channel that offers news, video highlights, analysis and exclusive content. The organization also encourages supporters to participate in a "Super 6" competition, offering a chance to win a £1 million prize.
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. For viewers who prefer flexible streaming, Sky Sports offers a personal video feed through its app, allowing fans to watch live matches and related programming on demand. As Binks prepares to don the Scottish jersey for the first time, he embodies the passion and dedication that many supporters hope will drive the national team back to the top tier of the Nations League and, ultimately, to future major tournaments.