Scotland newcomer Luis Binks believes he can go from strength to strength after making his debut.
The defender described his introduction to international football as “very bittersweet” after Scotland lost 3-0 to Switzerland at Hampden on Tuesday.
An 11th-minute red card for Jack Hendry after the Scotland defence were exposed one on one also led to the Swiss opener and it was a difficult watch for the Hampden fans in the second half.
But the chance to represent Scotland was a huge moment in the life for the Brondby centre-back.
“Obviously, personally, it’s a massive milestone for me and my career,” Binks said. “It’s something I’ve worked towards, it feels like forever. For me and my family, it’s a night we’ll never forget. All my family were here.
“Obviously, the result we want to get over pretty quickly and move on to Saturday.
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“Once you get a taste for the first game, you want more. It’s a bit like a drug, so I’m already looking forward to Saturday to hopefully put it right.”
With Hendry suspended, Binks will hope to feature for Sebastien Pocognoli’s side against North Macedonia in Skopje in their third Nations League encounter.
The Kent-born 25-year-old represented both Scotland and England during his days as a Tottenham youth player, wearing the dark blue courtesy of a grandfather.
“When I went away with the squad to the Victory Shield, I enjoyed it so much,” he said.
“There’s a couple of boys in there now and we’ve been talking about it. It just felt like you were going away to play football with your mates. I feel like that’s where I play my best football, so it’s always been an ambition of mine.
“Then when I was at Bologna and Aaron (Hickey) was going away with the national team, that was really where I wanted to go as well. Now it’s happened, it’s a great feeling, but a feeling that I want more and more.
“I feel like when you’re around good players, you only get better yourself. I think I’ve done that in training. I was rewarded by the manager.
“I know we lost 3-0, but I feel I didn’t have too bad a game. I just want more and I know I can do more. I just want to show that.”
Binks has taken to the international environment and believes Scotland can make strides under Pocognoli.
“It’s really easy to settle in,” he said. “I know a couple of them anyway, which always makes it a bit easier, but when you’re coming into a squad with top players, you’re always nervous and you think, ‘how am I going to fit in?’
“But they’ve made it so easy and it’s been pretty seamless. I think it’s helped that there’s a lot of us that are quite new. It’s a new squad, fresh faces, and everyone’s been brilliant with me.
“I know people won’t want to hear it, but it is a process. Maybe it will take a bit more time than it would at a club, but we’re all on board with it and we know what he (Pocognoli) wants. It’s up to us to go and deliver it.”
