Stockley: Fraser’s frightening pace can be Scotland’s ace

Pittodrie forward says former Don is something special

Aberdeen forward Jayden Stockley insists Ryan Fraser is something special as the Bournemouth midfielder prepares to make his international debut tomorrow.

The former Aberdeen midfielder has been called up to Gordon Strachan’s squad for the first time and is in line to make his debut for Scotland when they host Canada in an international friendly at Easter Road in Edinburgh tomorrow.

Aberdeen forwardStockley was a team-mate of Fraser’s at Bournemouth and believes the former Don is ready to don the Dark Blue of Scotland.

Stockley said: “Ryan was with me at Bournemouth when we were in League One and I knew then he was something special. He has frightening pace and what Eddie Howe has done with him is fantastic.

“He didn’t rush him; he nurtured him and it must be great for the Aberdeen supporters to seehimgo on and make it in the way he has.

“It’s brilliant he has been called up to the Scotland squad as well. He’s a great lad and a great player as well.

“He’s a strong, stocky lad. He always provides great entertainment for his team-mates. He is playing in a league where players are bought for millions and he has broken in the hard way which speaks volumes of him and the hard work he has put in.” While Stockley isdelighted to seeFraser called up, the Englishman is surprised none of his Aberdeen team- mates received the call from Strachan.

He said: “I look at Andy Considine, Ryan Jack, Kenny McL ean and Graeme Shinnie in training and they are some of the best players I’ve worked with in my career.

“Kenny has got everything in his locker to go on and I’m surprised he hasn’t been called up.

“Managers make decisions and I can only comment on what I see every day in training but I think there must be some standard in that Scotland team if they are not getting in as they are very good.”

Meanwhile, there was mixed news for Aberdeen duo Jonny Hayes and Adam Rooney yesterday as Rooney failed to make the cut when Martin O’Neill trimmed his Republic of Ireland squad for Friday’s WorldCupqualifier against Wales.

O’Neill named a 39-man provisionalsquadlastweek but, while Hayes has made the 27-man squad, Rooney has missed out.

PRIDE AND GLORY: Ryan Fraser flags up the buoyant mood in the Scotland camp for the matches against Canada and Slovenia Scotland manager Gordon Strachan is ready to hand Celtic midfielder Stuart Armstrong his first cap. Armstrong, who was born in...

Jayden Stockley: “He’s a great lad and great player”