Luis Binks proud of Scotland call-up: ‘I didn't need convincing’

“I've wanted to play for Scotland for years, and now the opportunity has come. I'm just really proud.” That was the message from defender Luis Binks, Brondby captain, after being called up by Scotland for the first time under new head coach Sebastien Pocognoli. Binks has played for both Scotland U21 and England U21, but he insisted he did not hesitate when Pocognoli named him in the squad. He is one of six players handed a first full call-up for the Nations League matches against Slovenia, North Macedonia and Switzerland. Pocognoli has made clear he will not beg players to choose Scotland. Binks fully agrees. In his view, if a coach has to convince a player, it is probably not the right thing for the player or the national team. He did not need convincing because his heart had already made the choice. “It's where you feel your heart is and where you want to go. This was the route I wanted to take,” Binks told Sky Sports News. This is a new-look Scotland under Pocognoli. Twelve players from Steve Clarke's final World Cup squad have been left out, while Scott McTominay, Lawrence Shankland and Che Adams are missing through injury. The most striking detail is not just the new list, but the way Pocognoli is rebuilding the team. He is not chasing reputations or keeping players who no longer fit. Instead, he is giving opportunities to those who genuinely want to contribute. Binks is a perfect example. Binks previously played with Aaron Hickey at Bologna. When Hickey was called up by Scotland, Binks was still eligible for the U21 side and had never received a call-up, but for him Scotland was always the number one choice. He recalled his experience with Scotland U16: the atmosphere was great, the team felt genuinely united, “they were just normal lads” and it felt like playing with friends. That experience made him want to return and be part of the group again. The Pocognoli era officially begins in Ljubljana on Saturday, against Slovenia. Three days later, Scotland host Switzerland at Hampden Park. The squad then travel to North Macedonia on October 3 before returning to Glasgow to face Slovenia again on October 6. Notably, Scotland were relegated from Nations League A after a play-off defeat to Greece last year. They return to the second tier with a clear aim: promotion. But Binks admitted the team needs time because there are many new faces, a new coaching staff and new playing ideas. He compared it to his club situation: when a new manager arrives, everything takes time to work. Some may argue that a team with so many new players faces a real risk of lacking cohesion. But Binks's story suggests the opposite: a team built from players who genuinely want to represent their country can be more solid than a group of stars convinced by status or contracts. Pocognoli is not following the media's script; he is selecting players based on attitude and desire. Binks is an example of choosing with the heart, and sometimes that matters more than any statistic. Will Pocognoli bring Scotland back to League A of the Nations League? The answer begins in Ljubljana. But for now, Binks and the newcomers have sent a clear message: they do not need anyone to convince them, because they already believe. When a national team has belief from within, rankings are only a matter of time.