IT’S LITTLE AND BARGE
Guile of Fraser and power of Dykes is perfect combo
RYAN FRASER has attracted plenty of adverse comments in the past.
Former Scotland captain Darren Fletcher was amongst those who took measured aim at him and other astroturf dissenters for not travelling to Kazakhstan’s plastic pitch when Alex McLeish had his nightmare in Nursultan 18 months ago.
And Ray Parlour, the ex-Arsenal stalwart, lowered the tone when blasting Fraser’s decision not to sign a short- term contract at Bournemouth during lockdown, labelling it a “disgrace.”
Big-mouth former Crystal Palace chairman Simon Jordan plumbed the depths when he went one step further with disgusting comments which, in the least offensive words during his name calling of the winger, tagged him as a “wretched” individual for that choice not to play for the Cherries before signing for Newcastle.
Disgraceful and wretched are strong words to throw at a talented player who was merely looking to protect his body and his career with his choices.
Well here’s the latest adjective to attach to the Aberdonian. Undroppable.
Steve Clarke could not have been any clearer before the Nations League double-header against Slovakia and Czech Republic.
Deliver two performances which mean you cannot be left out of the play-off against Serbia next month in Belgrade.
No one accepted the challenge more than Fraser. The St James’ Park star was good in the first game and dynamite last night in his second.
He was battered from pillar to post by the Czech Republic backline, but he did not flinch.
Fraser kept taking it, kept wanting it and, most importantly, kept causing utter mayhem with running power and threat.
One brilliant finish. Countless searing runs and two shots just off target. He was a constant menace before going off for Kenny McLean with 20 minutes remaining.
Burrowing left and right and all around Lyndon Dykes in a partnership which has positively flourished.
Dykes scored against Slovakia when Fraser helped provide. The Aussie returned the compliment last night at Hampden.
They were on the same wavelength and surely they will both be on the same teamsheet next month in the Balkans.
This has to be the pairing and this has to be the system. Oli McBurnie, who hit the crossbar again last night, and Lawrence Shankland have their own attributes.
Leigh Griffiths might be back on the scene and Ryan Christie may stake a claim but Dykes and Fraser have put themselves in pole position for the play-off final.
The former may have collected a booking for a naughty one which puts him out of the Nations League game against Slovakia but he’s available for Belgrade.
If those two have been the huge bonus of the last two games, the defending has been the biggest boost of the entire week.
You can’t argue the Scotland backline rode their luck at times last night and got away with a couple of unfathomable Czech misses.
However, they were entitled to give up one or two chances against a quality opponent and their desire to block and throw themselves at everything was eye-opening.
It doesn’t take Clarke or his old gaffer Jose Mourinho to realise Scotland are not going to go to Belgrade and take Serbia apart in an open game.
If not quite parking a Balkan bus, it will be close to it. The commitment to defend from the individuals concerned was hugely encouraging.
Scott McTominay was muchmaligned for his display on the right-side of the back three last month against Israel, yet he’s growing into the role with three top performances.
Declan Gallagher has had a momentous week. The Motherwell stopper was thrust into the spotlight when Kieran Tierney was sent packing from the squad by the Covid-19 police.
He probably wouldn’t have started any games if the Arsenal defender had been around. Instead, he was terrific in them all.
Andrew Considine, aged 33, also had a fairytale 180 minutes with his old-fashioned reading of the game and attacking the ball.
His old Aberdeen team-mate Scott McKenna could be back. Tierney will likely be available and Liam Cooper did enough against Israel to stake his claims.
However, the Pittodrie veteran has given Clarke another valuable insurance policy. In truth, it would be tough to drop him.
David Marshall stays in goal. That’s an easy one. In order to be solid against the Serbs, the boys in front of the backline will need to be disciplined.
McLean and John Fleck did an admirable job in the central roles against Slovakia.
Nonetheless, if it’s protection for the defence that Clarke seeks first and foremost, Ryan Jack and Callum McGregor, who returned last night, look sound bets.
John McGinn is nailed on. Off a striker with one up or the nearest to a two. If fit, the Aston Villa man is amongst the first picks.
That just leaves nicking the goal. Which is where Dykes and Fraser come in.
The Czech Republic will be back at Hampden on June 14 next year for their first game of the Euros against the winner of the tie in Belgrade.
If Fraser does what he did last night and gets Scotland into it, he’ll be getting another name. Hero.