Lucy hoping to bounce back in dark blue
Bristol City midfielder Lucy Graham hopes she can stake a World Cup claim when Scotland play Norway and Iceland in La Manga over the next eight days.
The former Hibs star won her first cap when she came on as a sub against Hungary in 2017. But the tragic death of her mother, Ruth, a month later derailed her career.
The 47- year- old died in her sleep when Graham was in Minsk with the Scotland squad for their opening World Cup qualifier against Belarus.
The news was withheld from the player until she was met by family members at Edinburgh Airport.
Graham then pulled out of Hibs’ final games that year, including a 3-0 Scottish Cup Final win over arch-rivals, Glasgow City.
She returned to the side at the start of 2018, but couldn’t regain her spark until a summer move to Bristol revitalised her career.
“Absolutely, my form dipped,” the 22-year-old admitted over the aftermath of her mother’s death.
“As much as you try to move on, or forget about it, it’s always there.
“Now it’s still in the back of mind, but it doesn’t affect me.
“I use it now to drive me forward, rather than getting me down.”
Unlike Hibs, Bristol City are fully professional and play in the FA WSL, which is the top tier of women’s football in England.
The No. 10 has scored an impressive 11 goals in 15 games at the club.
The latest was a penalty which secured a draw against second-placed Manchester City last Sunday.
“We finished strongly at the back end of 2018 and have got off to a flyer this year,” Lucy pointed out.
Now Graham wants to show Scotland head coach, Shelley Kerr, that her club form can transform to the international stage.
She was called into the national squad for the first time since her mother died for the friendlies against Norway on Thursday and Iceland a week tomorrow.
“I’d definitely like to win my second cap,” Graham confirmed.
“The squad has strength in depth, but I’m looking to get some minutes out there.”