Stopping rivals is main goal for Fraser
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MARCUS Fraser loves being part of an attacking Ross County side – but stressed keeping opponents out remains his prime goal.
The hugely-rated former Celtic right-back is an integral part of a largely solid back line which has kept three clean sheets in six games this season.
In Tuesday’s 2-0 Scottish League Cup second round win over Ayr United, the 21-year-old never gave the League One visitors a sniff while bursting forward and delivering dangerous crosses which almost resulted in more goals.
Fraser told the NS though that he knows what his main job is.
He explained: "I always want to get involved in an attacking sense by setting a few goals up and even score a few then I’d be delighted but it’s clean sheets that please the manager the most.
"First and foremost, I’m a defender, so keeping teams out is the most important part of my game and anything else is a bonus."
County, with seven points from their opening five Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership fixtures, face off-form Dundee United in Dingwall this weekend.
In the last game before the international break, the Staggies will fancy their chances against a United side low in confidence with four points on the board.
However, a United win would haul them level with County and Fraser won’t be taking anything for granted this weekend.
He said: "We need to be confident going into every game but we won’t underestimate any team. Every side will come here with a strong attitude and the will to win, so first and foremost we need to be right at it and hopefully the result will follow. As soon as the whistle goes, we need to get the ball in their half and work from the front where our two strikers work really hard."
So, how would the defender sum up the quick-fire opening few weeks of a largely encouraging campaign for County?
He said: "Perhaps I’m being a little too critical, but we could perhaps be another couple of points better off than we are right now. We’ve done reasonably well and we’re looking for more points this Saturday."
Goals from Liam Boyce and Michael Gardyne saw off a doughty Ayr team on Tuesday to put County into today’s (Thursday’s) third round draw where they will be seeded.
Fraser felt there was room for improvement but was happy to get the job done.
He stressed: "We knew what we were coming into with this tie. Ayr were going to fight for every ball, so we had to do the job professionally. We got the goal early doors, which was good, but we still could have moved the ball sharper at times in the first half especially and got another goal before half-time.
"Fair play to Ayr though, they came at us and had a couple of chances, albeit down to our mistakes. In the end, we got the job done and we’re delighted to be in the next round."
County were in sizzling form at the weekend as they blasted Killie 4-0 at Rugby Park, but Fraser said a word from boss Jim McIntyre ahead of Tuesday’s tie kept their minds on the task ahead.
He added: "The gaffer said to us that although we were on a high after Saturday, if we were to be knocked out of the League Cup then it would have taken us right back to square one. To maintain the momentum, we need to keep winning games and that’s what happened."
