Brondby captain Luis Binks has been called up to the Scotland squad for the first time by new head coach Sebastien Pocognoli, and the 25-year-old defender described the news as "a dream come true."
Binks, who was born in Gillingham, qualifies to represent Scotland through his grandfather. He said the recognition had made his decision to keep moving countries in search of first-team football feel justified.
"I can't say it's been a bad choice because, since I've been here, I've been named the captain of Brondby and I've now been called up to Scotland," he said.
"I've always believed in myself. That's why I said: 'I'll go to another country again'. I'll experience another culture because I'm not scared to do that. I believe that I can go there (Scotland) and make a difference."
From Tottenham to Brondby
Binks came through the youth ranks at Tottenham Hotspur before leaving England in 2020 to join Major League Soccer side Montreal Impact. He later had spells in Italy with Bologna and Como as well as a stint at Coventry City.
He is now club captain at Brondby, who finished fourth in the Danish Superliga last season. Binks admitted he endured some tough times immediately after joining the Danish club, but he now feels settled there.
Asked how it felt to learn he had been named in Pocognoli's first Scotland squad, Binks said: "A dream come true. It's obviously a great honour for me and my family. I think it's different to any other sort of feeling you get within football."
"You're not just representing a club or anything like that. You're representing a whole country. It's another level. As a kid, you grow up wanting to play international football."
Ben Godfrey's influence
Binks represented both Scotland and England at Under-16 and Under-18 level before committing his senior future to Scotland. He has credited current Rangers defender Ben Godfrey with helping his development during their time together at Brondby last season.
Speaking to www.flashscore.co.uk, Binks said: "I think we had a difficult spell after the winter period as a team. I think I shone in that moment because we still kept quite a lot of clean sheets."
"I feel like the defensive performances were good. I definitely improved playing next to Ben. I think we had a good relationship and that was good for me personally."
Binks also reflected on the extra demands of leading his club side. "This year, obviously being named captain, I've had to take on a different role to anything I've had before," he said. "Some people think you just wear an armband and that's that, but I'm learning day by day that it's not just that. There's a lot more that goes with it."
