Beating Scots record a ‘bonus’ for Fraser Forster

WITH his 13th successive league shutout, Fraser Forster claimed the record for Scottish top-flight shut-outs. But the focus is now the British record. Edwin van der Sar has possession of that from his Manchester United days but having already amassed 1,214 minutes without conceding a league goal, Forster is now just 97 minutes away from taking that title too. “He was definitely a top, top keeper,” said Forster of the Dutchman.
Fraser Forster broke the record for minutes played in the league without conceding a goal. Picture: SNSFraser Forster broke the record for minutes played in the league without conceding a goal. Picture: SNS
Fraser Forster broke the record for minutes played in the league without conceding a goal. Picture: SNS

“He just seemed to get better and better, the modern-day keeper, who was brilliant with both feet and a fantastic shot stopper as well. It is a brilliant record to have and obviously I have massive respect for him. To be honest I have not given it that much thought. It has just been ticking along nicely in the background, but it is something we are very proud of as a club, a team, and a coaching staff. Massive credit needs to go to [goalkeeping coach] Stevie Woods.

“Me and Woodsy sat down at the start of the season with our goals for the season and where we wanted to get to, but this wasn’t one of them.

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“It has been a real bonus. It is something that will be nice to look back at. It is one of those where you just want to do the best that you can.”

But as he looks back on the saves which have helped him into the record books, and, he hopes, will help him onto the plane to Brazil this summer, he paid tribute to the defenders in front of him.

“I made a save from a header. But a lot of the time the chances have been limited, due to the quality of the back four. Efe [Ambrose] and Virgil [Van Dijk] are two world-class defenders, we have two quality right backs and Emilio [Izaguirre] is normally spot on, he has just been unlucky to pick up his injury. As a back four or back five, we are all tremendously proud of it.

“We work for each other and cover each other if we do make a mistake.”