The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Buffers for the juggernaut
FraserunfazedbyhistoryBhoysinbidtohalttheirunbeatenrun
Ross County defender Marcus Fraser will not allow Celtic’s history-making exploits to change his belief that the Staggies can inflict a first domestic defeat on the Hoops at Victoria Park on Saturday.
Celtic broke their own 100-year-old British record when they beat St Johnstone 4- 0 in their most recent outing. That made it 63 domestic matches without defeat in a run that stretches beyond when Brendan Rodgers replaced Ronny Deila as manager last summer.
County go into the match having won their last two home games and Fraser feels another spirited Dingwall showing can cause the champions problems.
He said: “They have a lot of good players and that is why they are doing it.
“But when we come up against the better sides the main aim is to have to have belief and trust in our teammates and I think we have got that here.
“We will be doing that on Saturday. We need to go into any game, especially at home, and try to impose ourselves and be on the front foot.
“I know it’s Celtic and people will say how good they are and what they have got but, as a home team, we have to try to impose ourselves on the game.
“They have done so well to set their record and fair play to them, but when the whistle goes on Saturday that won’t be in any of our minds.
“We’ll just be trying to follow our gameplan and hopefully win the game.
“A lot of people talk about it but it won’t really be in our heads – we’ll be on the football park trying to win the game.
“They’ve got a lot of good players and I’m sure they’ll be up for the game but we will be ready for it as well.”
Fraser began his career at Parkhead prior to joining County in January 2015 and, having played predominantly as a right back in his first two years with the Staggies, he has enjoyed a consistent run in central defence since the end of last season.
The 23-year-old has also deputised as skipper in the absence of Andrew Davies and is keen to play a leading role for Owen Coyle’s men when required.
He added: “I can play in a number of positions across the back line and I am happy to play wherever. In training we play in different roles. Whenever I’m out on the pitch I’m happy.
“It is a hard task sometimes trying to adjust but it is challenging one which I like to have.
“When Andrew wasn’t fit the other week against Aberdeen the manager gave me the armband, which was a boost.
“If Andrew is ever injured and it’s me to step in next time then I will be happy to do that.”
“Themainaimis tohavebeliefand trustinteammatesandwe havethathere”