There’s no masking the huge change that’s happened in Fraser’s footballing life
When Fraser Fyvie signed for Roberto Martinez’s Wigan Athletic back in 2012, little could he have imagined the diverse fates football had in store for the two men.
Less than a decade on, the Spaniard is national manager of Belgium, one of the favourites for the Euros.
The midfielder, meanwhile, is splitting his time between playing for Cove Rangers and selling Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) during the coronavirus pandemic.
This evening, though, brings a brief return to the limelight for the man who made a debut for Aberdeen aged just 16, and has played for Scotland at every level bar the senior side.
“We are going to Ibrox to play against the best team in Scotland,” said Fyvie.
“It is free hit for us where we are. But we want to go and put on a performance. We have players who can hurt them too.
“It is something we look forward to. But we know we are major underdogs as Rangers’ form over the last two years tells us, both domestically and in Europe.” Now 28, the Aberdonian admits his days of playing at the highest level are behind him now. These days he finds life in League One suits him just fine.
‘I’ve got a job selling PPE,” he revealed.
“I had to go get myself a job when I came out of full-time. “The transition is difficult. Some players don’t mind it but, in my own case, I’ve been really unfortunate with injuries and that has hindered my football career.
“But I am enjoying myself at Cove. It is a good club to be at. We are trying to really build something. “This year I have been on furlough from the football for much of the time. But, in terms of selling the PPE, it’s been pretty busy, as you would imagine.
“Last February/march everybody was panicking and companies were ordering lots for their staff.
“A lot of PPE companies probably started to struggle a little bit because of the supply chain. It was hard to get hold of stuff. The NHS were of course snapping up so much.
“With Cove, the main aim for the club this year was to make sure we were in League One next season. “Obviously we have now found ourselves in a spot where we could possibly go on and get promotion. “Falkirk are definitely the favourites. Patrick Thistle are the other full-time team, and you would expect them to be up there too. “As a part-time team, getting promotion would be a push for us, but we have put ourselves in a good position.
“But, yes, we are used to going and winning games. We put in a good performance against Airdrie last Tuesday night, and that will give us a bit of confidence.” Fyvie admits that the meeting between the Rangers of Glasgow and Cove is on a very different level. “The job Steven Gerrard has done at Ibrox – not only recruitment-wise but in terms of improving players – has been remarkable,” said Fyvie. “A good friend of mine, Ryan Jack, is the perfect example of that. “Ryan is someone I have played against since childhood. Under Steven Gerrard, he has really gone on to the next level.
“He has become a Scotland international and, when fit, has really cemented his place, I would suggest.
“He is a top player, and it’s good to see him doing so well.
“But they have so many good players. Ryan Kent destroys teams with his changes of direction. He is just so forward-thinking with the positions he takes up.
“He creates chances and he has everything you want in a forward player. You’ve also got Morelos, then Davis dominating everything, Kamara as well.
“They have so many good players and that’s why they are the best team in the country.”