'My jaw hit the floor' - McGovern tells of first Scotland start

BBC News

09-06-2025

As season's go, Kathleen McGovern has had a good one.Thirty-one goals in Hibernian's SWPL-title-winning campaign earned her a much-deserved first Scotland call-up for the final two Nations League games.She may have missed the initial phone call, twice, but that didn't detract head coach Melissa Andreatta from starting the 22-year-old at Hampden in her first game in charge.Following an "exciting" first week in camp, McGovern, ended it with a "dream" debut at the national stadium."I was really taken back," the forward told Hibs' club media. "I didn't even expect to really play."I didn't believe it when people were telling me that it looked like I was going to start. The team came out and I felt my jaw hit the floor a bit. I was like, this is reality, I'm starting at Hampden."I just had to try and control my emotions. I was excited and I couldn't even get to sleep. I just couldn't wait for the game to come, knowing that my family were there at the game, and to start at the national stadium. It's been a dream of mine since I was young."To make my debut at Hampden was special, because it was in front of the fans, and I was trying to give a good account of myself to show why I deserved to be there. It was just amazing."If that wasn't good enough, the striker started again four days later in Tilburg and netted her first Scotland goal on just her second appearance."I actually still don't think I had processed my debut," she added."I knew the second game was going to be a lot harder as the chances would come few and far between. I just tried to get myself in the right areas."I just remember peeling off the defender, just trying to get in front of her and obviously Emma [Lawton] played in a great pass. I just knew that I had to get contact on it."It felt silent in the stadium because it was all Netherlands fans. There was no noise at all. Then I looked at the lineswoman and obviously saw that her flag was down. I thought, 'Wow, I've just scored.'"That was really nice, just to celebrate with the girls on the pitch. To walk away with the draw, when we actually could have won the game, was just excellent. It showed how far we had come in the camp."To score my first goal. It really topped off a great season at club and national team level, as well. I was just grateful for the opportunity. I learned a lot and hopefully it was the first of many."