The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Mother’s pride: Fraser makes 100th United appearance
Midfield star says feelgood factor is back at Tannadice after three consecutive wins
Mum was the word for Scott Fraser as he celebrated his Dundee United century in style.
Fraser, who had come on as a substitute just minutes earlier, swept home an exquisite free kick to help the promotion-chasing Tangerines to a 5-0 win over Brechin City at Glebe Park on Tuesday night.
It was the playmaker’s 100th appearance for the Tannadice club and not only did he put a smile on manager Csaba Laszlo’s face, he also made it a night to remember for a very special spectator – his mother Wendy.
Fraser said: “I have been in the academy since I was 11 years old so to have played for the first team 100 times is pretty good.
“My mum is a mad United fan so she was here cheering on the boys, as well as me.
“She was up at the top of the stand behind the goal so she got a good view of my free kick.
“As soon as the foul was given, I just fancied it straight away.
“I got a goal and an assist (he crossed for Bilel Mohsni) so I was pretty happy with that.
“My mum travels to games home and away and even when I was on loan to Airdrie a few years back she was there week in, week out.
“I think she has only missed one match – a cup-tie down at Stranraer – because she couldn’t get off work.
“So it was nice for her to see her son play his 100th match for the team she supports.
“It is brilliant for me to have that kind of family backing.
“She used to take me to training, finish her work and was in the car waiting for me when I finished.
“It is those little things that you want to pay people back for and hopefully I can do that.”
Fraser’s goal was United’s fourth of five, with Scott McDonald (twice), Billy King and Mohsni also on target against relegated City.
The victory pushed them into third spot, three points ahead of Dunfermline and one behind Livingston having played a game more than the West Lothian side.
United have two games to go in the regular season, away to Queen of the South on Saturday and then at home to Livi the following weekend.
Fraser revealed the feelgood factor is back after three consecutive wins which have seen seven goals scored and none conceded.
“There is a different feel about the place,” he said.
“We were flying when the gaffer first came in but we then lost myself and Fraser Fyvie to injury at a time when we were both playing well.
“When you take a main part of the side out like that it is going to affect the team.
“We do seem to have our confidence back now. I think you have seen in the last three games that that’s the case.
“The St Mirren match was all about stopping them and the Falkirk game wasn’t a good one but we showed a different side to United in that we could go and grind out wins.
“In the second half against Brechin I think we played some really good stuff.
“The manager said to us that once we got the first goal they would open up and so it proved.
“Momentum is hugely important at this stage of the season.
“The boys are high in confidence, training has been livelier than it has been in previous weeks and the feelgood factor is starting to come back now.
“We need to keep the confidence growing and growing and look forward to facing Queen of the South on Saturday.”
After the Brechin game, Laszlo said that Fraser, who had been expected to miss the rest of the season after having foot surgery, was considered for a starting slot at Glebe Park.
He may just have done enough, therefore, to be promoted from the bench for the clash with the Doonhamers at Palmerston.
Asked if he felt ready to start, Fraser replied: “I would hope so.
“The gaffer has been brilliant with me and speaks to me every day.
“He is desperate for me to get back in – it’s not as if he is just not playing me.
“I know that when I do get fully fit I stand a good chance of playing so when I come off the bench it’s about producing on the park.
“We have a good run of games coming up now that we are close to the play-offs so hopefully I can be involved.”