Jimmy who? Ignorance is bliss for winger Ryan Fraser compared to greats

By SCOTT DAVIE
Published on 07/10/2012 00:00

MANY promising young players have been burdened by prematurely favourable comparisons with some of football’s legends but it’s unlikely to prove a problem for Ryan Fraser.

Aberdeen’s teenage winger has already made such an impact after a handful of first-team starts that even the normally reticent Craig Brown has indulged in what appears to be a rare bout of hyperbole.

Brown has stated his belief that Fraser has the ability to be every bit as good in the position as Jimmy Johnstone and Willie Henderson were and praise doesn’t come much higher than that. After all, the Dons manager played alongside Henderson at Rangers and has painful memories of being turned inside out by Celtic’s Johnstone.

Not that the latest graduate of the Aberdeen youth academy is intimidated by such extravagant statements as he had no idea who Brown was talking about in the first place.

Hardly surprising for someone born nearly 30 years after the Scotland stars were in their pomp and while a bit of historical research has put that right, the Clydesdale Bank young player of the month for September will be happy just to make a name for himself. Fraser said: “I read in the papers that the gaffer had compared me to them but at that point I had never heard of Jimmy Johnstone or Willie Henderson. A lot of people since have told me they were really, really, good players and probably the best there’s been. It’s good to be compared to them and it’s obviously flattering but I have never modelled myself on anyone.

“In fact Lionel Messi never really came on to my radar until a couple of years ago, though one thing I do know is that I’ll never be as good as him! I just want to be Ryan Fraser and not compared to anyone else. I certainly don’t want to become big-headed because I’ve won this award. I just want to keep going and playing well for the team.”

Fraser has certainly done that to such an extent that the 18-year-old has become a marked man. He has the pace and ability to beat a man on either side, is comfortable down both flanks and capable of delivering quality crosses with either foot. Those skills have rapidly made someone who only switched to his present position from full back two years ago the most sinned against player in the SPL this season.

Prior to yesterday’s match at Kilmarnock the tally stood at one red card and eight yellow ones for those who have been forced to resort to illegal means to halt Fraser’s progress.

Brown has called for him to be given more protection from referees but the youngster is determined he will stick to legitimate methods for drawing opponents into trouble.

He added: “I am not apprehensive about facing up to defenders despite the attention they give me. I know they don’t go on to the pitch to get me intentionally. They are just trying to play the game the same as me. If they hit me, they hit me and I just get back up and keep on with my game. The manager has told me not to get the reputation as a diver. He tells me that when I get hit just to bounce back and not to milk it, just to keep getting in the crosses.

“I like running at people, using my skills and taking them on. That’s how I enjoy football.”

Henderson and the late Johnstone would certainly approve of that.