Newcastle United Women forward Kathleen McGovern is preparing for her first Wear-Tyne derby as her side travel to the Stadium of Light to face Sunderland in a WSL2 top-two clash. The Scotland international, who has experienced high-octane derbies for Celtic and Hearts against Rangers and Hibernian respectively, is relishing the occasion.
The 24-year-old was sent off in the Edinburgh derby in 2024 before joining Hibs the following season. Now at Newcastle, she is ready for the intensity of the North East rivalry, dubbed 'El Lassico'.
Revenge on the cards after League Cup defeat
Newcastle are setting the pace in the division, dropping just two points from their seven league games so far. However, they lost the Subway Players Cup match to Sunderland 1-0 in October at St James' Park, adding extra spice to today's encounter.
McGovern is relishing the chance for revenge, reflecting on that defeat: "I think looking back, it was a really off-day for us. It's something that I hadn't seen within the team before. It was great with the fans."
She added: "I didn't really know what to expect, so it was good for me to get a first taste of a derby. I know what it's like in Scotland, so it was interesting to see what it was like down here. But obviously, the fans made it feel like that as well."
Scottish derby experience proves valuable
McGovern's experience north of the border has prepared her for the intensity of a Tyne-Wear clash, and she sees plenty of similarities. "I think they're the same. There's a lot of heart and passion, which I really like, because in Scotland, there's so many. I've been a part of both a Glasgow derby and an Edinburgh derby," she said.
"There is so much passion behind it, so it was really interesting to see what it was like down in England. I've never experienced it, obviously. So that was good. It was good. There are tackles flying in. It's similar to Scotland, to be honest, which was good."
Defender Lois Joel, preparing for her sixth derby clash in United colours, echoed that view. "It's massive, it's the biggest rivalry I've been a part of. The history is so deep between the two sides and how much our city loves Newcastle, and everyone lives and breathes football, that's what makes it so special," she told club media.
Sunderland target top spot
For Sunderland, it is a chance to draw level with Newcastle at the top of the table. They have lost only once in the league this season, last month's 3-1 setback at Ipswich, and coach Mel Reay is targeting top spot.
"It's first versus second in the WSL2. We want to close the gap, and make sure that we get maximum points from the fixture," she said. "There's a lot of noise and excitement around the fixture - and the quality on show is going to be high. It's going to be a good occasion. We hope the supporters come out in their thousands to back the team. It's going to be a real occasion for everyone."
