Scotland hopeful fires message to Pocognoli by playing major role in table topping win

Binks, 24, has spoken openly about his desire to represent Scotland in recent months, and has been mentioned as a potential candidate to be named in the Belgian boss’ first squad for the Nations League games against Slovenia and Switzerland next month, and did his chances no harm with a sterling performance as he captained the Brondby side to a 3-1 win over Silkeborg.

The centre-back wore the captain’s armband as Brondby looked to pull clear at the top of the league following their unbeaten start, but fell behind just before half-time when New Zealand international Callum McCowatt put the visitors into a shock lead at the break. The hosts were not to be denied, though, and they quickly restored parity when defender Jordi Vanlerberghe fired home from Binks’ corner on 51 minutes.

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Brondby took the lead when Oskar Fenger placed home from close range on 54 minutes. Binks then sealed the victory with a goal of his own, heading home the clinching third by meeting Marko Divkovic’s cross in the 87th minute as his side moved three points clear of Viborg at the top of the table.

Sitting top of the pile after five games, Binks’ side have made a storming start to the new season as they look to erase the ghost of last season’s disappointing campaign. Finishing fourth, the Danish giants missed out on European qualification after losing their play-off decider against FC Copenhagen, leading to head coach Steve Cooper being sacked and replaced with Thomas Norgaard in the summer.

A key factor in their excellent start to the campaign has been Binks, with the skipper returning for the 2026/27 campaign with renewed vigour as he looks to catch the attention of new Scotland head coach Pocognoli. Speaking about an international call-up in August, Binks said: “I didn't speak to Steve Clarke when he was the manager. They had the squad that got them to the tournament [World Cup]. I never expected him to disrupt that because at the end of the day, they got them to where they needed to be.

“For me to come in and be the new boy, I didn't expect that because they deserved to go and try to take them far in the tournament. I feel there's a pathway now though because there's a few aging players, in my position especially. That manager's now left, so there's a new manager coming in and we'll see what he wants to go with.

“There are guys like Grant Hanley who have had a great international career, a great club career, but it's natural they get older and then it's time for the younger boys to take over. If I'm one of them, I'd be very privileged and proud to play for Scotland. Hopefully, there will be a call-up one day. I've just got to keep playing well here and everything will take care of itself.”