The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Fraser believes criticism was well wide of mark
Dundee United midfielder Scott Fraser has told the fan at the centre of an angry bust-up with skipper Sean Dillon he should be embarrassed.
Club captain Dillon had to be pulled away from the confrontation in the moments after the Tangerines’ play-off final defeat at Hamilton.
The Irishman has already apologised for his part in the row, but team-mate Fraser reckons it is the supporter who was out of order for questioning his side’s commitment levels.
He said: “I think that was shocking. Apparently the fan said we don’t care. You can’t label that at anyone in this team. I don’t think that’s fair.
“The fan doesn’t know us as people or players. Anyone watching that game could see we were throwing everything at it. We were desperate to get the result.
“To say we didn’t care was a bit embarrassing from him.
“The majority of the punters stayed behind to applaud us and obviously we appreciate that – its just one guy out of 3,000 who came along yesterday.
“However, we’re thankful for the rest of them. We always appreciate their support. They come to places like Dumbarton on cold days during this season and backed us so we say thanks for that.”
Greg Docherty proved Accies’ saviour as his second-half strike on Sunday secured their top-flight slot for a record fourth straight season.
But the 1-0 aggregate defeat condemns United to 12 more months in the Ladbrokes Championship.
Next season’s promotion chase looks to be an even greater task for Tannadice boss Ray McKinnon with the news top scorer Simon Murray is closing in on a move to Hibs.
But Fraser believes the former Raith Rovers manager is still the man to lead United back to the Premiership.
“Looking at the squad we had this season, we felt we could have challenged Hibs for the title,” he said. “We were doing that up until New Year but then fell away.
“We’ve obviously got two or three good players who might attract
attention and it’s up to the gaffer to tell the other boys why they should stay.
“He’ll obviously look to bring in a few new faces again. There is a lot of boys out of contract so it’s up to the manager how he wants to reshape it.
“But I think he’s showed in his previous job at Raith he knows how to set up a team, especially in this league.
“So I have no doubt his recruitment will be spot on in the summer.
“As players, we can’t fault the efforts of the manager at all. The fans only see us on a match day but the work he puts in all week with his backroom guys like Laurie Ellis is incredible.
“He takes training every day and watches the opposition in great detail. He works very, very hard and we’re all just gutted for him especially that we couldn’t get the job done.
“There is always going to be that pressure to get promoted straight away for a club the size of ours. We gave it a right good go at the play-offs.
“Unfortunately it seems like it was just one game too far really.”
Anyone watching that game could see we were throwing everything at it. SCOTT FRASER