“I’ve wanted to play for Scotland for years and now the chance has come. I’m very proud.”
Defender Luis Binks has played at Under-21 level for both Scotland and England, but insists he did not hesitate when new manager Sebastien Pocognoli said he wanted him in his first team.
The Brondby captain is one of six players given their first full call-ups for the Nations League games against Slovenia, North Macedonia and Switzerland.
Pocognoli has said he will not ask players to choose Scotland, something the 25-year-old agrees with.
“I think if he had to try to convince me, to convince anybody, it’s probably not the right thing for the player,” Binks told Sky Sports News.
“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 very proud.
“It’s where you feel your heart is and where you want to go. That was the path I wanted to take.”
It’s a new-look Scotland under Pocognoli with 12 players who were in Steve Clarke’s final World Cup squad missing out, only Scott McTominay, Lawrence Shankland and Che Adams through injury.
And while it’s a new environment for Binks, there are some familiar faces within the camp.
“It was a few years ago that I was with Aaron Hickey in Bologna and he got called up while we were there.
Aaron Hickey has 22 caps for Scotland
“I could be playing for the 21s at the time and nothing would happen, but it was always, Scotland was always where I wanted to go and play.
“Going back to years ago, under-16s when I went away with Scotland, the atmosphere was really good.
“It felt like a proper team, it was just normal guys 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.”
The Pocognoli era officially kicks off in Ljubljana on Saturday, with a game against Switzerland at Hampden Park three days later.
The team then fly to North Macedonia on October 3 before returning to Glasgow to face Slovenia again on October 6.
Scotland’s players are training in La Manga ahead of the Nations League opener
Scotland were relegated from Nations League A after a play-off defeat to Greece last year and were relegated to the second tier for this year’s competition.
“Obviously we want to get to Group A of the Nations League, but there are a lot of new faces, a lot of new management, new ways of playing,” added Binks.
“I know what it’s like because I have a new manager at my club now and it’s taking a while, so I think it’s the same process here.
“It’s just about getting the players on board and buying into whatever the coach wants to do.
“It’s been early days, but I think everyone is fully on board and believes in what we can do as a country.”
Full Scotland squad:
Goalkeepers: Scott Bain (Falkirk), Angus Gunn (San Jose Earthquakes), Liam Kelly (Rangers), Jon McCracken (Bradford City)
Defenders: Luis Binks (Brondby), 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 (Stiti) Wales.
Midfielders: Ryan Christie (Bournemouth), Lewis Ferguson (Bologna), Billy Gilmour (Napoli), John McGinn (Aston Villa), Josh McPake (Hearts), Lennon Miller (Udinese), Kristie Montgomery (Blackburn Rovers)
Attacker: Kieron Bowie (Sassuolo), Findlay Curtis (Rangers), Ben Gannon-Doak (Bournemouth), Oli McBurnie (Hull City), Robbie Ure (Sevilla), James Wilson (Hearts)
Scottish Nations League fixtures
Slovenia v Scotland – 26th September, 2pm kick-off
Scotland v Switzerland – September 29, kick-off 19:45
North Macedonia – Scotland – October 3, kick-off 19:45
Scotland v Slovenia – October 6, kick-off 19:45
Scotland – North Macedonia – November 13, kick-off 19:45
Switzerland v Scotland – November 16, 19:45 kick-off
