“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.

“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.”

Scotland squad in full:

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)

Scotland’s Nations League fixtures

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

Lucas Roehrig has signed a promotional deal with Zuffa Boxing and will fight on Sky Sports.

The cruiserweight talent, only 23 years old, has impressed in his rise through the cruiserweight ranks.

He will fight next on Zuffa Boxing 12 at the Copper Box Arena on November 7, live on Sky Sports.

His trainer and mentor is former world champion George Groves. Roehrig has been flawless so far in his professional career.

The young Londoner has won nine fights, never been defeated and has taken five of those wins inside the distance.

Roehrig made his pro debut in 2024, halting former English champion Joel McIntyre in three rounds.

Last year he shut out American prospect Brian Jones over six rounds. From then on, he’s continued to box and beat opponents with winning records.

His last two fights have been consecutive stoppage victories, over Adam Kolarik and Faton Tolaj, at York Hall.

“I’m really excited. This is a new chapter for me,” Roehrig told Sky Sports News. “Zuffa have come onto the scene and made a big splash, and for where I’m at in my career right now, that’s exactly what I want to do too.

“I’ve been through the levels. I’ve boxed on Sky shows and on other channels, but I’ve also boxed on the small hall shows – I haven’t skipped a step.

“I think now is the perfect platform, perfect time to fight other prospects – Zuffa have a lot of other undefeated fighters – for me to really make some noise not just in the UK but internationally too.”

Roehrig is now joining a promotional powerhouse that has a strong cruiserweight stable, including Jai Opetaia, Chris Billam-Smith, Ryan Rozicki and more.

“I’ve said numerous times that I’m aiming for world titles, that’s the main goal, that’s why I work so hard and that’s why we’re going to be taking risks,” Roehrig said.

“Our first fight will be November 7. Make a splash, and then from there keep building. There’s other belts that I’d love to collect along the way, but the Zuffa belt and the world titles are the end goal.”

Zuffa Boxing 11, headlined by Johnny Fisher vs Michael Pirotton, takes place this Saturday live on Sky Sports.

Lewis Hamilton and George Russell disagree on the Monaco Grand Prix becoming a Sprint weekend in 2027.

Last week, Formula 1 announced its 2027 calendar and revealed there will be an increase in the number of Sprint events from six to 10, with Monaco holding the alternative format that sees an extra qualifying session on Friday before a 100km Sprint on Saturday.

Monaco is one of the most difficult tracks to overtake at, but F1 highlighted the prospect of two qualifying sessions as an additional chance for “the drivers to show their world-class skill and precision on the narrow streets of Monte Carlo”.

“It makes no sense to me but I’m not making the decisions obviously,” said Hamilton, who is hoping to fight for the win at this week’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

“On the positive, we get another qualifying session, which is quite cool. But I’ve always said that Monaco needs something different. I don’t think it should be the same race formula that’s everywhere else. It needs to be something different.

“We’ve already included the Sprints, which I think have really brought something new to the sport. But I think we’ve got to come up with something new for somewhere like that because it’s a beautiful place, such a beautiful country, an incredible circuit to drive, but the race is as dull as it gets. I don’t know what that is, but a Sprint race is not the answer for it I would say.”

However, Hamilton’s former Mercedes team-mate Russell gave a contrary view when speaking earlier in the FIA press conference in Baku.

“I personally think it’s good because we’ve had Sprints for quite a while, normal race weekends feel quite long-winded and we all want to fight,” said Russell.

“As much fun as driving a Formula 1 car around the track is, the enjoyment comes from the competition and that adrenaline you get from a qualifying session.

“Of course the race isn’t going to be the most exciting one, but that will be compensated by having a more exciting Friday. Sprint Qualifying is way more exciting than FP2, so I think on the whole it makes sense.”

Verstappen: I don’t care where the Sprints are

Max Verstappen has been a strong critic of Sprint weekends in the past, stating in 2023 that he “won’t be around for too long” if F1 added more to the calendar.

Verstappen has been less vocal in recent years and says he’s made his feelings clear to F1 boss Stefano Domenicali.

He said: “Maybe Monaco wanted it [the Sprint], I don’t know. For me, I honestly don’t care where the Sprints are. I participate, and of course you try to do the best you can.

“I have no emotion attached to winning a Sprint race or not winning it. My focus is always from, when I was a kid, you look forward to the Grand Prix.”

Cadillac’s Sergio Perez revealed he discovered the Monaco news through the drivers’ WhatsApp group and said it was “a bit busy”.

“Monaco, I think you just make it a little bit more variable, to be honest. I think it was just a Saturday event in the last few years. Whatever happened on Saturday was basically done,” he added.

“I think right now it can mix things around a little bit more. I think it’s going to be an interesting weekend. I’m definitely looking forward to it.”

Reigning world champion Lando Norris believes fans should have a say on Sprint weekends and where they take place.

“If the fans have a better time then I’m happy,” the McLaren driver said

“I think they could have picked better races to do it. I think there’s some races that could have been picked that you could actually have an exciting Sprint race. But it’s not our decision to make.”

Sky Sports F1’s Azerbaijan GP live schedule

Thursday September 24
6.55am: F2 Practice
9am: Azerbaijan GP Practice One (session starts at 9.30am)*
10.55am: F2 Qualifying*
12pm: Team Bosses’ Press Conference
12.30pm: Azerbaijan GP Practice Two (session starts at 1pm)
2.15pm: The F1 Show

Friday September 25
5.10am: F2 Sprint*
9.15am: Azerbaijan GP Practice Three (session starts at 9.30am)*
11.10am: F2 Feature Race 1*
12.30pm: Azerbaijan GP Qualifying build-up*
1PM: AZERBAIJAN GP QUALIFYING*
3pm: Ted’s Qualifying Notebook

Saturday September 26
7.55am: F2 Feature Race 2
10.30am: Grand Prix Sunday: Azerbaijan GP build-up*
12PM: THE AZERBAIJAN GRAND PRIX*
2pm: Chequered Flag: Azerbaijan GP reaction*
3pm: Ted’s Notebook*

*also live on Sky Sports Main Event

Racing on a Saturday! The 2026 Formula 1 season continues live on Sky Sports F1 this week as the Azerbaijan Grand Prix kicks off a triple-header of races, with the Baku race taking place on Saturday at midday. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime