Scotland Women’s Under-23s travel to Belgium this week for their latest international fixture, with Michael McArdle’s side aiming to build on an impressive 3-1 win away to Italy last month, which followed a tough home defeat against Sweden at Starks Park.

Ahead of the match, 22-year-old Hibernian winger Tegan Bowie spoke about her return to form, the value of the Under-23 pathway, and the growing hunger within the squad.

How are you settling into the season so far?

It’s been good, I’m getting back into it after being injured at the end of last season, and it dragged into the start of the season, so I was just trying to build up my minutes. I got some Champions League time too which was great, but I probably wasn’t as involved as I’d like to have been. So, I’m getting there and hopefully I can keep building on that with consistent game time.  

You were involved in the last camp for the Under-23s against Italy and Sweden, how do you reflect on those two games against some tough opposition?

Yeah, I think overall it was a good camp for us. Obviously, the Sweden game was tough. They're one of the best. But we took a lot of learnings from it and then going into the Italy game we knew we could take something from them. I think you could see from the players there was a real desire and hunger to win the match.

In terms of your own journey, how has it been stepping up to Under-23s?

It's been good. I've been involved since Under-15s and it got to a point at Under-19s where the jump was so big to the ‘A’ squad, so adding that age group is really good for players to hopefully make that leap. It also bridges the gap in terms of what to expect at senior level so it’s really a vital link.

Does having that link help with the belief that you can make it into the senior team?

I think so, especially when you’ve come through all of the age groups, it gives you that clear end goal. I'm not putting any pressure on myself though to try and get there. If it happens, it’ll happen at the right time. There are quite a few players in my position who are a similar age to me so that keeps me on my toes and keeps me working hard.

How beneficial is that game time you get at club in terms of performance and confidence?

It’s vital – I left Celtic as I wasn't getting much time on the pitch and I felt like I was getting to the age where I could be playing more. Coming to Hibs with Grant has been brilliant. He has a lot of trust in me that I can go and perform to help the team. I'm playing alongside Kathleen McGovern and Eilidh Adams every week who are involved with the ‘A’ squad so that’s good for me to have those links as well. I just want to help the team as much as much as I can.

How important is that relationship with players like Kathleen and Eilidh who are proof that the pathway can lead to that ultimate goal?

Yeah, I have a great relationship with both of them. It's nice to see Kathleen doing so well at the minute. We just want to support each other to do the best we can. We’ve got so much talent in the Under-23 squad and that’s what makes it so exciting, especially coming from the domestic game. You never know when the next opportunity will come so you always have to make the most of it.

You face Belgium next, what are you expecting from them?

I’m expecting a good challenge. We played them last year and we were unfortunate not to come away with the win. Playing this level of opposition is great as you’re always being tested. You're playing with players that are completely different to what you’re used to at club level. But when you play for Scotland, you just have a different type of hunger and determination. Other teams might be better on the ball, but you just never know. That’s what I love when I go away on international camps, there’s a different feel to the game.

Women's Under-23 European Friendly Tournament:

Belgium v Scotland
Thursday, 27 November 2025 KO 12pm (UK)
Proximus Basecamp, Tubize

Scotland Women’s Under-23s Squad

Eilidh Austin Rangers
Tegan Bowie Hibernian
Erin Clachers Glasgow City
Fallon Connolly-Jackson Rangers
Lisa Forrest Glasgow City
Monica Forsyth Heart of Midlothian
Addie Handley Partick Thistle
Georgia Hunter Heart of Midlothian

Bayley Hutchison Heart of Midlothian
Rosie Livingstone Hibernian
Michaela McAlonie Southampton
Jodi McLeary Rangers
Jasmine McQuade Newcastle United
Lisa Rodgers Celtic
Eilidh Shore Heart of Midlothian
Charlotte Wardlaw Newcastle United
Megan Wearing Ipswich Town
Kenzie Weir Everton