AN Irvine football star, previously dubbed 'Little Miss Messi', has fulfilled a childhood dream after winning her first cap for Scotland, writes Lewis McKenzie.

Erin Cuthbert grew up idolising heroes of the Scottish Women's game. Now, it is the 17 year old who is making waves across the country after making her international debut against Belarus in Minsk.

She said: “It was incredible. It's what I've always dreamed of. There's no words to describe it. I came on at half time and I really didn't expect it. I never had any time to think about how I was going to play, I was just put on and flung in. But it was really enjoyable”.

Despite her tender years, Cuthbert has already gained an impressive amount of experience in the game, having starred for Rangers and now, Glasgow City. The story began for Cuthbert after featuring for her local team at home in Irvine. She said: “I looked up to Julie Fleeting because she was the local girl in the area and that was really my inspiration at the time.

“I started off at Girdle Toll Boys Club because it was near where I stayed and then I moved onto Crosshouse, then went to Rangers. It's just been an incline from there really”.

Cuthbert had a five year spell at Rangers, going from strength to strength during her time there. It was in 2014 that the then Greenwood Academy pupil hit the headlines after netting a last minute wonder goal against Hibs. Dancing through several defenders, Cuthbert then slotted the ball past the keeper to score what was awarded the best in Scottish Youth Football.

The awards were not to end there though and the midfielder went on to pick up the SWPL Young Player of the Year award. Cuthbert said: “I think because the goal was in a semi-final, that was the only reason that I got it.

“But it was nice to get the recognition for young player of the year because that's all-year round and it's nice to know that you've been relatively consistent and been playing well week in, week out, so it was good to be rewarded for my efforts for that”.

Cuthbert signed for Glasgow City at the start of 2015 and said she is enjoying her time at the club, managed by former Aberdeen striker Scott Booth. She said: “It's been really good. The girls are great, it's obviously a step up but a step that I think I've relished and I've grabbed with both hands.

“I really enjoy it here. It's just a great atmosphere and it's really good for my development”.

The future is looking bright for Cuthbert, who hopes one day that she too can follow in the footsteps of idols such as Fleeting and win a permanent place in the international set-up:“The long term goal would be getting a place in the Scotland squad and cementing it. Hopefully I can become a first team regular there and also aim to become a professional”