Kathleen McGovern recalls her emotional and unforgettable breakthrough Scotland ‘A’ Squad call-up; in which she grabbed her maiden senior caps and first international goal!
McGovern scored 31 times across the Hibees’ title-winning campaign, with an incredible run-in – five goals and one league-clinching assist across the final four games – earning the 22-year-old her first selection in the National Team.
The young striker, still shocked and emotional from her summons, went on to make her debut at Hampden Park before scoring her first international goal days later on her second cap against stern opposition.
After twice missing the literal call-up via phone call, due to our midweek meeting with Celtic and a long lie-in, McGov reveals she was very emotional ahead of achieving a childhood dream of her own.
“We had a phone call and they just said that they were calling me up for my first senior cap, that I had deserved it and that I just had to come in and do what I had been doing all season.
“My initial reaction when I ended the phone call after a 10 minute call was relief. I cried.
“I phoned my mum and dad and let them know and we were all really in shock because it was something I had been working towards. I had tears in my eyes and I was just so happy to be a part of the squad.”
After an “exciting” couple of days in the camp, each training session gave McGovern an inkling of the plan for her to start for her country for the first time, at the National Stadium no less
“I was really taken back,” the forward admitted. “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 was 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.”
The three-time SWPL Player of the Month award winner played 73 minutes against Austria as Scotland narrowly lost out 1-0. Following a tough Nations League campaign, with zero points accrued in five games against difficult opposition, a final chance to put points on the table came against the Netherlands.
The 2019 World Cup finalists are the 10th-best in the world at the moment according to the FIFA rankings, but this did not stop McGovern from scoring her first international goal with a deft finish to earn Scotland a well-deserved point in Tilburg.
“I actually still don't think I had processed my debut, to be honest. 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.”
