Kieron Bowie scores first Scotland goal in 2-0 win over North Macedonia

Kieron Bowie scored his first goal for Scotland in a 2-0 Nations League victory over North Macedonia in Skopje, helping deliver Sebastien Pocognoli's first win as head coach. Speaking to BBC Sport Scotland after the match, the 24-year-old forward said the new manager's trust and approach were helping him make an impact at international level.

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Bowie started alongside Oli McBurnie in a 3-4-1-2 formation and scored early in the victory. According to the BBC's report, he led the game's figures for shots with seven, attempts on target with four and shots inside the penalty area with five. His 11 touches in the opposition box also represented the highest total, reflecting his involvement beyond the goal itself.

The performance followed a disrupted first international start against Switzerland at Hampden on Tuesday. Bowie was taken off after just 13 minutes following Jack Hendry's red card in Scotland's defeat. In Skopje, he had the opportunity to contribute in a different attacking setup, explaining that running behind opponents and using his strength against defenders suited the way Pocognoli wanted Scotland to play.

The goal also came after the disappointment of missing Scotland's World Cup squad under former coach Steve Clarke. Bowie told the BBC he had received a message informing him of his omission despite scoring for a Hellas Verona side that was heading for relegation from Serie A. He said he had been satisfied with his own performances and spent the subsequent break with family, along with a golf trip to Portugal.

Now on loan at Sassuolo, the former Raith Rovers and Hibernian forward said his experience in Italy had helped him improve. He described Serie A as a different challenge that had exposed him to a higher level of football. Bowie made his senior debut for Raith at 16 and believes his development has continued since supporters last watched him regularly at Hibernian.

Bowie also said the longer international break had given Pocognoli more time to explain his ideas to the squad, although additional matches meant less training. He described the coaching change as a fresh start and said the manager had encouraged him to concentrate on performing his usual game rather than feeling he needed to prove himself.