Mick McCarthy reveals the role he played in the rise of Fraser
McCarthy’s crystal ball told him that Fraser was going to be a bit special and, as Arsenal join his list of suitors, he is delighted to see the Scot making waves
AS he reluctantly returned Ryan Fraser to the nurturing hands of Eddie Howe in 2016, Mick McCarthy made a plea then a prediction. The plea, he correctly suspected, was a waste of time. Bournemouth had no intention of gifting him back to the Championship and Ipswich Town for another season.
And McCarthy fully recognised that because the prediction went along these lines: ‘Ryan Fraser can go on to play for any team in the Premier League.’
Ipswich fans spent several years telling McCarthy he didn’t know what he was doing before their wish was granted 12 months ago.
An entire season spent plummeting towards League One has since demonstrated the folly of that stance, suggesting that simply by keeping Town afloat the Irishman knew better all along.
McCarthy won’t admit to deriving any pleasure from watching his former club nosedive in the season immediately after being hounded out of the job.
There is one prescient piece of work he’s more than happy to discuss, however, upon learning Arsenal are at the forefront of transfer interest set to change Fraser’s life.
Tottenham and Newcastle are the other two English giants linked with a move for the 25-year-old Scotland international.
‘I think he’s now going to go and prove me right, which is nice of him,’
said McCarthy of the
Scotland winger who starred in 21 games for him three seasons ago.
Fraser, then 21, was effectively left behind in England’s second tier as Bournemouth kicked off life in the top flight for the first time in 2015/16.
All part, however, of the shrewd shaping of Fraser’s career that has proved to be spot on ever since Howe tempted him from Aberdeen when Bournemouth were seventh in League One.
Fraser left his dog, Maisie, behind to be looked after on the south coast while he attended to a pivotal season in Suffolk.
He has credited the spell with McCarthy as essential for ‘toughening’ him up, although his campaign was intermittently interrupted by hamstring tears.
Belief, too, was a massive gain from working with McCarthy as Fraser has admitted that was an area where he had previously struggled in England.
As he tears up the wing in the Premier League producing six goals and 10 assists so far this season against the fastest fullbacks in the game, that might be hard to comprehend. His performances straight off the bat for Ipswich gave no hint to long-time admirer McCarthy of any confidence issues that could possibly hold back a huge talent. ‘I saw him play against Nottingham Forest one night for Bournemouth and he was brilliant, so I actually couldn’t believe we were getting him on loan,’ recalled McCarthy. ‘That was me watching on a one-off and thinking he’d go on and play straight away for Bournemouth in the Premier League. But Eddie obviously knew he needed to get away. ‘We took him on a deal which involved Tyrone Mings going there and us signing Brett Pitman and taking Ryan for the season. ‘He was quite shy, unassuming. I didn’t sense any lack of conviction. He grew up by the week by being involved in our set-up and in our first team. ‘He’d done his toughening up, I felt. He’d played in the Championship for Bournemouth. He’d been away from Aberdeen then again, with us, away from Bournemouth. ‘So he’s done those moves and it means you grow up. Training every day with us was hard and he loved it. It was about playing every week — and by that I mean the Saturday-TuesdaySaturday schedule — and he delivered.
‘Getting in the team at 18, 19, having a few games and everyone liking what they see is fine. But playing every season is tough. And you have to take the step towards that.
‘It was precisely what he did. He was excellent for us, a great lad who fitted in with everyone. A real humble lad bristling with talent, pace and power.
‘Opponents found him really hard to deal with, which was great for us. It was a pleasure to have him and I was sad to be handing him back to Eddie.’
Fraser (right) scored six goals for Ipswich in a season which ended prematurely in February on account of injury and made a general nuisance of himself with trademark bustling speed and skill.
If there’s one alternative highlight from his stint that told McCarthy the 5ft 4in Scot had a bright future pleasing his managers, then it came in only his second league appearance.
His blistering pace was a factor for Ipswich to utilise when under attack, not only in their own pursuit of goals that narrowly failed to land them a play-off place.
McCarthy grinned: ‘He listened to instructions! I liked that. I told him that, if anyone was breaking on us, then you had to bring them down. And he did.
‘He did some chasing after a Sheffield Wednesday striker, tripped him up from behind. I said to him after the game: “Well done”.
‘He said: “Gaffer, I knew if I didn’t do it, I was in serious trouble from you”. We won the game because of it. It was a bit of savvy from him and that was important.
‘It’s just about copping on to what’s required in being a professional.’
Back to full fitness by the start of the following campaign, Fraser was straight into Bournemouth’s team. He made 28 Premier League appearances and rounded off the season with a second-half outing for Scotland in the 2-2 thriller with England at Hampden.
Now a first pick for club and country, Fraser has admitted the interest from Arsenal is flattering and Howe has confessed he’s not sure if his star will be at the Cherries next term. McCarthy, now manager of Republic of Ireland for the second time, sees a player in his prime who wouldn’t be out of place with an elite English outfit. ‘He’s leaner, after admitting himself that he had to improve his diet and nutrition earlier in his career in England,’ said McCarthy. ‘He’s a leaner, meaner, fitter individual and an all-round better pro for everything he’s done to improve himself. ‘He’s matured into an all-round better player. ‘And when I hear him speak now, I can tell he’s matured and has great self-belief. I love the power and pace and how he goes past people. ‘He could use both feet, he was prepared to take people on and was tough. He’s doing all that now regularly in the Premier League. ‘So the way I see him playing now in the Premier League, my comment from a few years ago still stands.’
He was shy, unassuming, but I did not sense any lack of conviction I think he’s now going to prove me correct, which is nice of him