'Scotland was always the one for me' - Binks' pride at first call-up

Luis Binks is one of six newcomers in Sebastien Pocognoli's first squad; the new head coach takes charge against Slovenia in the Nations League on Saturday; Scotland are also away to N. Macedonia with games against Switzerland and Slovenia at Hampden during this international break

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>"I've wanted to play for Scotland for years, and now the opportunity has come. I'm just really proud."

>Defender Luis Binks has played at under-21 level for both Scotland and England, but insisted he did not hesitate when new head coach Sebastien Pocognoli said he wanted him in his first squad.

>The Brondby captain is one of six players handed their first full call-ups for the Nations League games against Slovenia, North Macedonia and Switzerland.

>Pocognoli has said he will not beg players to choose Scotland, something the 25-year-old agrees with.

>"I think if he had to try and convince me, convince anyone, 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 just really proud.

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>"It's where you feel your heart is and where you want to go. This was the route I wanted to take."

>It is a new-look Scotland under Pocognoli with 12 players who were in Steve Clarke's final squad for the World Cup 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.

>"I could play for the 21s at the time and nothing ever coming up but it was always, Scotland was always the one for me that I wanted to go and play for.

>"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."

>The Pocognoli era officially gets underway in Ljubljana on Saturday, with a game against Switzerland at Hampden Park three days later.

>The squad then fly to North Macedonia on October 3 before returning to Glasgow to face Slovenia again on October 6.

>Scotland were demoted from Nations League A after a play-off defeat by Greece last year and return to the second tier for this year's competition.

>"Obviously we want to get 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," Binks added.

>"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.

>"It's been early days, but I think everyone is fully on board and believes in what we can do as a country."

>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 (Tottenham), Stephen Welsh (Swansea City)

>Midfielders: Ryan Christie (Bournemouth), Lewis Ferguson (Bologna), Billy Gilmour (Napoli), John McGinn (Aston Villa), Josh McPake (Hearts), Lennon Miller (Udinese), Kristie Montgomery (Blackburn Rovers)

>Forwards: Kieron Bowie (Sassuolo), Findlay Curtis (Rangers), Ben Gannon-Doak (Bournemouth), Oli McBurnie (Hull City), Robbie Ure (Sevilla), James Wilson (Hearts)

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>Slovenia vs Scotland - September 26, kick-off 2pm

>Scotland vs Switzerland - September 29, kick-off 7.45pm

>N. Macedonia vs Scotland - October 3, kick-off 7.45pm

>Scotland vs Slovenia - October 6, kick-off 7.45pm

>Scotland vs N. Macedonia - November 13, kick-off 7.45pm

>Switzerland vs Scotland - November 16, kick-off 7.45pm

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