Jack showed class to shut up Boyd and the boo boys
SAYS RYAN FRASER
RYAN FRASER insists Ryan Jack silenced the booing at Pittodrie — and outspoken criticism from Kris Boyd — by making a solid Scotland debut.
On his first return to Aberdeen since a much-debated summer switch to Rangers, Jack’s early touches against Holland were jeered by a section of the crowd. The 25-year-old refused to let that reception get to him and subsequently turned in a positive display in a less familiar right-back role during Thursday night’s 1-0 friendly defeat.
Bournemouth winger Fraser (below) lauded the contribution of his former Dons team-mate, which came in the wake of Boyd lambasting the call-up by claiming Jack has ‘had more red cards than good games for Rangers this season’.
‘You knew Ryan was going to get booed a little bit,’ said Fraser, who left Aberdeen to join Bournemouth in 2013. ‘They were booing a bit, but because he was having such a good game, I don’t think the fans could jeer him anymore. I thought he did very well and rose above it.
‘Where he (Jack) is from in Aberdeen, it’s not exactly the nicest of places. He’s grown up in a bad part, so I’m sure he’s had a lot worse said to him!’
Kilmarnock captain Boyd, who won 18 caps while playing for Rangers, also claimed Aberdeen duo Kenny McLean and Graeme Shinnie were only in Malky Mackay’s selection to help sell tickets for Pittodrie.
‘I did see it,’ said Fraser of those comments. ‘I think the whole squad saw it. We were eating one night, and you see him saying those words.
‘I’ve grown up with them (Jack, Shinnie, McLean), I’ve come up through the ranks with them, and they deserve their chance as much as everyone else.
‘It’s his (Boyd’s) opinion. He is entitled to his opinion. Just because he says it doesn’t mean he’s right, and it doesn’t mean he’s wrong.
‘As a player, you just need to get on with it. If he is going to say stuff like that, you just need to rise above it.
‘I thought Jacko did very well. It’s not his usual position, he hasn’t played right-back this season for Rangers.
‘But he came in and he played against a world-class player like (Memphis) Depay and he kept him quiet. What more can you ask?
‘If you ask Kris Boyd now, I bet he won’t be saying that.’
Asked if he felt Boyd was trying to make his name as a pundit, Fraser added: ‘I don’t know but I do know Aberdeen and Kilmarnock play each other in a couple of weeks’ time.
‘He also criticised Graeme Shinnie and they’re both captains of their clubs, so we’ll see how that goes.’
Fraser won his second Scotland cap as a second-half substitute against Holland and feels the new blood introduced by interim boss Mackay bodes well for the future.
‘Everyone’s around 20 to 25, so it’s a young squad,’ added Fraser. ‘We can compete with the likes of Holland, who put out a very strong team. We shouldn’t have lost the game and we can take positives out of that. ‘I was at Pittodrie with the Scotland Under-21s a couple of years back but was injured, so it was good to get on that pitch again.
‘I haven’t really been in Aberdeen for about three years but it was nice to return and it brought back a few memories. ‘My family still live up here. There were eight of them in total — my mum and dad, my uncle, cousins and so on. I do miss the place.’
Fraser has found regular action at Bournemouth harder to come by than last season, with his last league appearance coming as a substitute on September 30.
He said: ‘It’s a tough squad to get into but I’ve been involved. I think I’ve started five games, but I’ve had injuries.
‘I wouldn’t say I’m struggling, but I’m not having the same season that I was having last season. I just need a little bit of luck.
‘I’ve spoken to (manager) Eddie Howe about it and it’s not about confidence, it’s just about a little bit of luck. Once that happens, I’ll be back to my best.’