Scotland Women Under-19s boss Pauline Hamill has named two Celts in her squad that will welcome Europe’s elite to Scotland this month for the UEFA Women’s Under-19s European Championship.
First team striker Kathleen McGovern and Academy attacker Emma Craig have been recalled to the 20-strong squad to face the Netherlands, Norway and France in the group stage of the contest, with the young Scots set to play at St Mirren Park and Partick Thistle’s Firhill Stadium.
After becoming a regular face in the second half of last season, McGovern has been enjoying her first full term in Celtic’s first team this season and has racked up seven goals having opened her 2019 account with a perfect hat-trick away to Dundee United in the first round of the League Cup back in February.
Academy star Craig’s form was rewarded with a call up to Eddie Wolecki Black’s matchday squad for the last two games before the break after catching the manager’s attention, notably after netting a hat-trick in the side’s 6-0 victory over Renfrew, helping them lift the SWFL1 Cup final.
A top two finish will seal a semi-final place for the Scots, but they first must negotiate tricky ties against the Netherlands, Norway and five-time winners France.
The tournament will get underway on Tuesday 16 July with the Scottish FA hoping to see the national interest in women’s football generated in France translate into support for the young outing.
UEFA Women’s Under-19s European Championship
Tuesday 16 July
Scotland v France, St Mirren Park, 7:30pm kick-off
Friday 19 July
Scotland v Norway, Firhill Stadium, 6:15pm kick-off
Monday 22 July
Netherlands v Scotland, St Mirren Park, 6:15pm kick-off