McGovern: Even More Special To Score At Home

Hibs Women forward Kathleen McGovern said her last-minute equaliser for Scotland against Belgium felt "even more special" because it came at Easter Road.

Melissa Andreatta's Scotland side earned a crucial point in their 2027 FIFA World Cup qualification match against Belgium in Leith on Tuesday (14 April) night.

Despite dominating for spells against the Red Flames, it took a 95th-minute equaliser from McGovern to ensure the Scots headed to Leuven for the reverse fixture this weekend still top of the group. 

'McGov' timed her run perfectly to slide in at the far post from Lauren Davidson's cross to keep Scotland's unbeaten start to qualifying intact, an "amazing" moment for the goal-hungry striker who was voted Player of the Match. 

"It was amazing. Obviously to score for my country, every time I score, it is an amazing moment for me and my family," McGovern told the press after the match.

"It was in the back of my mind, coming here to Easter Road, it felt like home. Even yesterday at the minus-one, I text my gaffer at Hibs and said it felt like coming back home.

"It is such a nice feeling to have and I'm delighted to score here, because I've not scored here before.

"I had to deal with the emotions, and you can see by my reaction when I put the ball in the back of the net, with my celebrations, I was just delighted.

"It's always special to score for my country and it's even more special at Easter Road."

Image Credit: Erin West

McGovern has enjoyed yet another strong season at club level, scoring 19 times in 27 matches to bring her total tally at Hibs up to a fantastic 50 goals in 60 matches. 

She has carried that scoring form into international camps, also, with six goals in seven caps an incredible return for the 23-year-old. 

After putting a header wide just moments before as time wound down at Easter Road, it is a testement to McGovern's perserverance that she battled on and still grabbed the elusive equaliser Scotland needed.

"We never stop until the final whistle, I think you can see that. We fought right to the end. I'm frustrated by the chances (missed) but I'll go back and work on that myself. 

"I want to drive this team forward and I want to get my country to a major tournament, that's my mentality when I'm coming here. 

"My career has took a random turn, in the last two years I've hit a height that is just surreal for me. I want to continue and I'll never stop. That's the mentality I go with.

"We're just seeing the start of me, I've got so much more to give."

Image Credit: Ruby Adam

Header Image Credit: Ruby Adam