The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Supersub tag does not suit Fraser
Midfielder wants starting role after netting winner
DUNDEE UNITED 2 QUEEN OF THE SOUTH 1
On Saturday, Scott Fraser was Dundee United’s “supersub hero”– but that is a tag he is keen doesn’t stick.
The midfielder had been struck down by a sickness bug at the start of last week meaning he was only fit enough to take a place on the bench against Dundee last Wednesday night in the Betfred Cup tie
When boss Ray McKinnon then selected his team for the Championship encounter with Queen of the South at Tannadice at the weekend, he decided not to restore Fraser to the starting lineup.
However, with United reduced to 10 men following Paul McMullan’s dismissal, he came off the bench to score what proved to be the winner.
Fraser, though, is keen that as the season progresses he is known for more than cameo roles and supersub appearances.
Fraser said: “I don’t want a tag like that. I want to be starting the games rather than coming on.
“I wasn’t starting so coming off the bench and scoring the winner was the next best thing.
“Of course, I was frustrated not to start. I could understand the derby one as I wasn’t well in the lead up to the game. I was just unwell with a bug.
“I had been sick and my body aching, things like that.
“I came in on the day of the (Dundee) game and spoke to the gaffer. I still wasn’t feeling great and wasn’t 100%.
“I hadn’t trained on the Monday and the Tuesday so I trained with the 20s on was Thursday and then trained Friday hoping that I would get back in.
“But it wasn’t to be. Obviously the gaffer makes his choices and that’s fair enough.
“We have a good squad this season and plenty of lads who can play. But, like I said, I did the next best thing and scored the goal when I came on.
“I want to be starting though – I don’t want to be on the bench.
“Hopefully I have shown the gaffer I am fit and he can rely on me.”
United took the lead in the 18th minute when McMullan burst down the left before crossing the ball to Scott McDonald who had the simplest of tasks to prod home with his thigh from pointblank range for his first goal for the club.
United tails were up but they were stunned in the 25th minute when a Queens’ free-kick was not properly cleared with the ball breaking to Doonhamers centre-half Callum Fordyce inside the home penalty area and he rifled past Tangerines keeper Harry Lewis to bring the scores level.
McKinnon’s men were then sensationally reduced to 10 men in the 36th minute.
McMullan tangled with Queens’ Shaun Rooney on the touchline with the United winger lashing out with his hands at the opposition full-back. Referee Nick Walsh took his time before showing Rooney a yellow card followed by a red for McMullan.
Despite being a man down, the Tangerines were still going for the win and in the 68th minute Billy King played the ball into the path of Fraser 14 yards out and he made no mistake firing low past Martin to restore his side’s lead.
Queens then had a huge opportunity when Stephen Dobbie played on-loan St Johnstone striker Chris Kane straight in on goal but Lewis rushed out to block and then gather the striker’s shot.
Kane revealed that McDiarmid manager Tommy Wright has assured him that, despite being farmed out, he still has a big future at Saints.
Kane said: “Tommy Wright wants me to be playing games so he just pulled me to one side and said it was entirely up to me.
“He said that with the likes of Michael (O’Halloran) coming back I might not play as much as I want to.
“So he said I could come to Queens and try to play every week or I could just do what I had been doing at St Johnstone and might not play as much as I want.
“I had a wee time to think about it and I decided that coming here would be good for me.
“Tommy Wright has been really good with me, telling me he wants me at the club and it’s nothing negative.
“He just said it is purely for me to get games. He has reassured me it is nothing negative so that’s good.”
Kane insisted that he is determined to return to Saints a better player.
He added: “I am sure I will. There are lots of good players here that I will learn lots from.
“I am here to develop myself as a player and help Queens as well.”
Hopefully I have shown the gaffer I am fit and he can rely on me. SCOTT FRASER
Dundee United’s Scott Fraser has hailed the spirit and character of his side after they beat Queen of the South at Tannadice on Saturday, writes Neil Robertson.
The 22-year-old midfielder came off the bench to score what proved to be the winner for the Tangerines, who had been reduced to 10 men in the 36th minute following Paul McMullan’s sending off.
The victory against the odds was all the sweeter after the disappointing defeat to Dundee in the Betfred Cup last Wednesday with United now top of the Championship table with the only perfect record after two games.
Fraser said: “The boys were unfortunate in the derby. But we did so well today, especially going down to 10 men.
“We showed great team spirit and character. We also showed we have a good enough squad to be able to rely on the bench as well.”