Luis Binks, the 25‑year‑old centre‑back who captains Brøndby in Denmark, has finally realised a lifelong ambition: representing the senior Scotland national team. The defender, who has previously turned out for both England and Scotland at under‑21 level, said he never needed any persuasion when new head coach Sébastien Pocognoli invited him to join the squad for the upcoming Nations League fixtures.
"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, his voice tinged with emotion.
The call‑up marks his first full senior cap, and he is one of six newcomers to be handed their debut by Pocognoli for the matches against Slovenia, North Macedonia and Switzerland. Pocognoli has made it clear that he will not try to pressure dual‑eligible players into choosing the Scottish jersey, a stance that resonated strongly with Binks. "I think if he had to try and convince me, convince anyone, it's probably not the right thing for the player," the defender 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. "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 that his loyalty to Scotland has never wavered, despite his time in the English youth system. The new‑look Scotland side under Pocognoli is undergoing a significant transition. Twelve players from Steve Clarke's World Cup squad are absent, with only Scott McTominay, Lawrence Shankland and Che Adams missing due to injury.
While the environment is fresh, Binks will find some familiar faces among his teammates. He recalled a previous encounter with fellow defender Aaron Hickey in Bologna, noting that Hickey received a call‑up while they were both in Italy. "I could play for the under‑21s at the time and nothing ever came up, but Scotland was always the one for me that I wanted to go and play for," Binks reflected.
He also spoke fondly of his early experiences with the Scotland youth teams. "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 said.
Those memories of camaraderie and shared purpose have clearly left a lasting impression on the young defender. Pocognoli's tenure will officially begin in Ljubljana on Saturday, where Scotland will face Slovenia.
The squad will then travel to Hampden Park for a clash with Switzerland three days later, before heading to North Macedonia on October 3 and returning to Glasgow for a second encounter with Slovenia on October 6. Scotland's recent history in the Nations League has been a roller‑coaster.
After a play‑off defeat to Greece last year, the team was relegated from League A to League B, meaning they will now compete in the second tier for this campaign. Binks is aware of the stakes. "Obviously we want to get back 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," he observed.
He drew a parallel between the national set‑up and his club situation, where he too has recently adjusted to a new manager. "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," Binks explained. He believes the squad is already buying into the 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 Scotland squad for the Nations League window includes a blend of experienced internationals and fresh talent. 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).
Fans can follow the team's progress via Sky Sports' various platforms, including WhatsApp for the latest news, video highlights and in‑depth analysis. The Nations League schedule is 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. Beyond the matches, Sky Sports is running a Super 6 competition offering a chance to win £1 million, with free entry for participants. Binks' story, however, reminds us that for many players the true reward lies in wearing the national shirt they have dreamed of since childhood, and he is eager to make the most of his first senior appearance for Scotland.