TALENTED Benarty footballer Lucy Graham made her first international start as Scotland began preparations for the World Cup with two friendly matches.

The 22-year-old midfielder, who made her debut for the senior women's side as a substitute in a 3-0 win over Hungary in September 2017, played the full 90 minutes in Monday's clash with Iceland in La Manga, Spain.

Lucy, who plays for Bristol City in the FA Women's Super League after leaving Hibernian last summer, was recalled by head coach Shelley Kerr for the games with Norway and Iceland after impressing with the English club and was rewarded with her second cap.

She was an unused substitute in the Scots' opener against the Norwegians – ranked 13th in the world – last Thursday which saw them fall to a 3-1 defeat, and Dunfermline-born midfielder Caroline Weir netting their reply from the penalty spot.

Shelley Kerr gave three players – including Lucy – their first starts for the senior side but, after a goalless first half, Elín Metta Jensen fired Iceland ahead four minutes after the break.

Jansen doubled their lead five minutes later and, although substitute Lana Clelland pulled a goal back with the last kick of the ball, the Ballingry footballer finished on the losing side.

She will hope to be given another chance to impress ahead of Scotland's maiden World Cup finals appearance this summer when the squad travels to Portugal in March to participate in the Algarve Cup.

It will be just the second time that Scotland have been invited to take part – with their only previous appearance coming in 2002 – and they will play Canada and Iceland in Group A.

Scotland's World Cup campaign in France begins on June 9 against England, before concluding their Group D fixtures against Japan and Argentina.

Meanwhile, Heart of Midlothian starlet Connor Smith has been named in the Scotland under-17 squad for a friendly double-header next month.

The 16-year-old, from Cowdenbeath, has been included in a 20-man squad named by head coach Brian McLaughlin for games against France, on Tuesday February 5, and Hungary, on Friday February 8, that will be held at the Pinatar Arena in Murcia, Spain.

Smith, whose older brother Callum plays with Dunfermline Athletic, has previously captained the under-17 side.