Scott Fraser Dundee United Player Review
Last season saw Dundee United midfielder Scott Fraser establish himself as one of the most consistent and technically gifted players in the Scottish Under 20’s league. The 19 year old born and bred Dundonian is a predominantly left sided midfielder with quick feet and impressive range of passing and close control. Similar attributes to Zinedine Zidane, the French midfielder who he grew up watching.
Scott played his first competitive football aged 8 years old for local Dundee team The Dee Club and shortly after joined Longforgan Boys Club, in which he played with his current united team mate Scott Smith. After showing promise and obvious potential, Scott signed for Dundee United aged 10 and throughout all the age groups impressing coaches throughout Scotland.
Aged just 16 Scott joined the first team for his first pre-season as a full time. After impressing throughout many training sessions Fraser suffered a major set-back, breaking his leg. This injury meant that Scott would be out of all footballing activity for a full year.
Former Dundee United manager Peter Houston commented on the injury, “I’m gutted for the lad, and was hoping he would make an impact for this season”. For such a young player at the time, there was no doubt that the coaching staff at Tannadice saw something in this young but intelligent player.
Last season saw Fraser play a predominant role in Stevie Campbell’s under 20’s side. Fraser’s contributions throughout this season have not gone unnoticed. Near the end of the season Fraser was awarded the Under 20’s player of the year, after a lot of brilliant performances in a decent season for the under 20’s. An award like this shouldn’t be under looked when the club boasts young talent in the under 20’s ranks such as Aidan Connolly, Scott Smith and Scotland’s under 18 captain Darren Petrie.
Fraser’s inevitable first team debut was on Sunday the 11th of May against Celtic at a packed Parkhead. Scott came on for John Rankin at 83 minutes, and looked into the filled stands that he used to sit in as a young Celtic fan. Although he only was only on the pitch for 7 minutes, it was clear that the midfielder was very comfortable on the ball. His first time in possession was on the right flank in front of the away fans. Scott then looked up and drove past Scott Brown, cut onto his left foot passed and played a brilliant through ball to Mackay-Steven. It was a brilliant moment, knowing that the Dundee United Academy was showing no signs of a halt in producing fantastic young players.
Scott told me, “I was nervous and excited at the same time. Jackie (McNamara) just told me I was good enough and to just go out there and enjoy it”. Although it was a disappointing result to lose that game showed that United don’t need to worry when the likes of Stuart Armstrong, Gary Mackay-Steven and Ryan Gauld move on.
After a shot but impressive debut Scott also added that, “my ambitions for next season are to break into the first team and play as many games as possible.”
When asked what Dundee United fans can expect from him in the 2014-15 season he commented. “I’ve been told I have good feet and a good play making type midfielder.”
#what does twitter say about him?
@dundeeunitedfc- “The Under 20’s player of the year is Scott Fraser.”
@CoachCraigie- “Scott Fraser, next big thing to hit the first team”.
@Grantomac- “Scott Fraser, definitely my choice. For me he is the most exciting player plying his trade in the under 20’s.”
Article by Joseph James
Follow on twitter- @josephjamesyy
Last season saw Dundee United midfielder Scott Fraser establish himself as one of the most consistent and technically gifted players in the Scottish Under 20’s league. The 19 year old born and bred Dundonian is a predominantly left sided midfielder with quick feet and impressive range of passing and close control. Similar attributes to Zinedine Zidane, the French midfielder who he grew up watching.
Scott played his first competitive football aged 8 years old for local Dundee team The Dee Club and shortly after joined Longforgan Boys Club, in which he played with his current united team mate Scott Smith. After showing promise and obvious potential, Scott signed for Dundee United aged 10 and throughout all the age groups impressing coaches throughout Scotland.
Aged just 16 Scott joined the first team for his first pre-season as a full time. After impressing throughout many training sessions Fraser suffered a major set-back, breaking his leg. This injury meant that Scott would be out of all footballing activity for a full year.
Former Dundee United manager Peter Houston commented on the injury, “I’m gutted for the lad, and was hoping he would make an impact for this season”. For such a young player at the time, there was no doubt that the coaching staff at Tannadice saw something in this young but intelligent player.
Last season saw Fraser play a predominant role in Stevie Campbell’s under 20’s side. Fraser’s contributions throughout this season have not gone unnoticed. Near the end of the season Fraser was awarded the Under 20’s player of the year, after a lot of brilliant performances in a decent season for the under 20’s. An award like this shouldn’t be under looked when the club boasts young talent in the under 20’s ranks such as Aidan Connolly, Scott Smith and Scotland’s under 18 captain Darren Petrie.
Fraser’s inevitable first team debut was on Sunday the 11th of May against Celtic at a packed Parkhead. Scott came on for John Rankin at 83 minutes, and looked into the filled stands that he used to sit in as a young Celtic fan. Although he only was only on the pitch for 7 minutes, it was clear that the midfielder was very comfortable on the ball. His first time in possession was on the right flank in front of the away fans. Scott then looked up and drove past Scott Brown, cut onto his left foot passed and played a brilliant through ball to Mackay-Steven. It was a brilliant moment, knowing that the Dundee United Academy was showing no signs of a halt in producing fantastic young players.
Scott told me, “I was nervous and excited at the same time. Jackie (McNamara) just told me I was good enough and to just go out there and enjoy it”. Although it was a disappointing result to lose that game showed that United don’t need to worry when the likes of Stuart Armstrong, Gary Mackay-Steven and Ryan Gauld move on.
After a shot but impressive debut Scott also added that, “my ambitions for next season are to break into the first team and play as many games as possible.”
When asked what Dundee United fans can expect from him in the 2014-15 season he commented. “I’ve been told I have good feet and a good play making type midfielder.”
#what does twitter say about him?
@dundeeunitedfc- “The Under 20’s player of the year is Scott Fraser.”
@CoachCraigie- “Scott Fraser, next big thing to hit the first team”.
@Grantomac- “Scott Fraser, definitely my choice. For me he is the most exciting player plying his trade in the under 20’s.”
Article by Joseph James
Follow on twitter- @josephjamesyy