Marcus Fraser hoping to avoid a repeat of doctor's orders at Hampden if St Mirren secure Scottish Cup glory

Five years ago, Marcus Fraser’s celebrations of a Hampden triumph were disrupted by an unexpected hold-up.

Marcus Fraser (left) leaps in celebration after scoring in St Mirren's Scottish Cup win against Inverness Caledonian Thistle in April. (Photo by Ross Parker / SNS Group)

As the St Mirren defender sets his sights on fresh cup glory this season, he is hopeful he won’t miss any of the party scenes it would bring to the Paisley club.

Fraser was part of the Ross County side which defeated Hibs 2-1 in the 2016 League Cup Final but the post-match revelry at the national stadium didn’t go exactly as he planned.

“We lifted the cup and then the doctor came over to me on the pitch and told me I needed to get drug tested,” recalls Fraser.

Marcus Fraser (second from right) celebrates Ross County's 2016 League Cup Final win over Hibs with team-mates (left to right) Jackson Irvine, Paul Quinn and Liam Boyce. (Photo by Rob Casey/SNS Group).

“I said no problem. I thought it would be quick and easy – but I ended up there for about an hour!

“I wasn’t able to go and by the time I eventually got back into the dressing room it was only the kit man left. There was champagne all over the place but there was one bottle left for me to drink on my own!

“The boys had a good laugh about it and the main thing was I was part of the celebrations on the pitch.

“We had a function at the club after it as well with all my family there and that was brilliant. It is probably up there with the highlights of my career. I’m sure lifting that silverware will be one I’ll look back on in years to come.

“Would it be special to do it again? Of course – but maybe without the drugs test!”

Having lost out in the League Cup semi-finals to Livingston in January, Fraser is determined to go one better against St Johnstone at Hampden in the last four of the Scottish Cup on Sunday and give himself the chance to complete a set of two domestic winners’ medals with two clubs outwith the Old Firm.

“It would be special on a personal level to win two trophies and it is something that motivates me,” said the former Celtic player. “I want to push hard every day.

“At the start of the season you want a good league campaign and to see if you can get a cup run.

“We got to one semi-final and it didn’t work out the way we wanted – but we’ve got another chance.

“It’s brilliant for the club and speaks highly of the players getting to this stage again. It would be absolutely massive to go one step further.”

Fraser was boosted ahead of the semi-final when he signed a new two-year contract with St Mirren on Friday, having joined on an initial one-year deal last summer.

“The club has been a good fit for me,” he said. “The manager has been brilliant with me, letting me go and play within his gameplan.

“He’s taken the shackles off and I’ve enjoyed being on the front foot. I’m happy on and off the park so it was a no brainer for me and I’m just looking forward to the future. I had other options but I was always hoping to stay here.”

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