Kieron Bowie believes “everyone is eager to do well” under Sebastien Pocognoli after Scotland secured their first victory under the new manager in North Macedonia.
Bowie set the tone for the team early on. Collecting a long ball, he worked space away from the Macedonian back line before unleashing a ferocious 25-yard strike past a scrambling Stole Dimitrievski.
The goal marked a strong comeback for Bowie, who was a tactical victim of an early substitution in Scotland’s previous match following Jack Hendry’s red card against Switzerland. However, the forward credits his positive mindset for keeping him focused.
“Someone has to be sacrificed,” Bowie reflected on the tactical change against Switzerland. “I came off, showed a good attitude, and then I came into the next game, got my start, and managed to score a goal. So yeah, I think it’s just biding my time. I’ve done that a few times, I’ve been in squads where I haven’t played before, and now I’m getting my opportunity.”
Bowie remains confident that the squad can thrive under Pocognoli. The players have embraced the early days of the Belgian’s tenure and are eager to deliver results in a new chapter following Steve Clarke’s departure.
“Steve Clarke was amazing; he gave me my first cap and everything, but I think obviously he felt it was time for a change,” Bowie said. “Now the new gaffer’s come in with different ideas, a different way to play, and I think all the lads are excited by it. A few of the lads have said already in the media that they’re excited, and everyone’s eager to do well.
“[Pocognoli] just says he knows what I can do, so I just need to go out and do what I do at club level. As a team, we just need to go out and show the fight that a Scotland team always shows, and we’ll get the results.”
Looking ahead to Scotland’s next match on Tuesday, Bowie is hungry for more involvement, and more goals.
“Hopefully I can get another start,” he added. “It’s my job to score goals, and I could have had a few more today, but hopefully on Tuesday we can get another one.”
