Fraser seeking points from on form Lions
Monday, 2nd Apr 2018“All the remaining games are massive, we know that we need to go and win to cement our place in the play offs.
With James Vincent out with a slight hamstring injury, Fraser Aird was delighted to get his chance to be back in the team on Saturday against Queen of the South. It was his first start since 25 November against Dumbarton and he admitted that it had been a while coming.
“I thought we played really good football especially in the first half. It dropped off a little in the second half but at the end of the day we got the three points that we really needed at this point in the season. Hopefully we can carry that on into Tuesday night’s match.”
Fraser was singled out for praise by his manager who claimed that the 23 year old Canadian internationalist gave the team ‘pace and directness’. The midfielder was not going to disagree:-
“It is nice to know that the manager felt that I did well. I know myself that I did well. It was nice to get an assist for the first goal but obviously to take part in the game is nice.
“The main focus was to go and get the three points especially against a team that was right behind us in the league. Hopefully we can push on from now until the end of the season. We have another chance on Tuesday to get three points and keep pushing up that league.”
On a personal level Fraser felt that he had to come into the side and do well:-
“I know that there are other boys that the manager is going to play. When I got my chance I just knew that I had to go and do well. At the end of the day if I do well and the team wins then hopefully I can keep my spot in the team.
“There are only so many games left in the season so I wish I had got the chance a little sooner to be honest. There is still a lot to play for with the play offs coming up. I’d like to keep myself in the team from now until the end of the season.
“All the remaining games are massive, we know that we need to go and win to cement our place in the play offs. There are lots of big games yet to play if we make the play offs. Our main goal right now is to take each game as it comes and make the play offs first off.”
No one could dispute the fact that Fraser gave his all on Saturday and that he did appear to gel with the team mates round about him. A crucial understanding is that with the club’s leading goal scorer, Nicky Clark who he played with previously at Rangers.
“I know what he is like and he knows when I get the ball at my feet get he knows that the ball is coming into the box which is good.
“That freedom playing on the left, I can come inside on my right or can go on the outside on to my left but it is just nice to get a game, to be back out there playing. Hopefully I can continue that and obviously the more games I play the confidence just keeps coming and I can add a few goals to my game.”
Confidence is something that Fraser was needing and that was given a boost with two goals in a closed doors match last Tuesday against Manchester United under 20s. This year there have been few opportunities for fringe players to get match sharpness:-
“Before that I think I played a reserve game against Raith maybe about a month and a half ago. I have had a few appearances off the bench but obviously if you are not playing games it is tough for the boys who are around the fringe.
“Me, Andy Ryan, Deano (Shiels), Nat (Wedderburn) and big Jean (M’Voto) have been in and out but for the older players who are not considered young ones anymore it is tough because we don’t have a 20s team. So these games are good for us and we went out and did well winning 4-0. We scored a few goals but we played really well considering the team that they brought up but it was just nice to get a game.
“It just shows you that if you can go and catch the manager’s eye in games like that, do well and take them professionally it gives the manager something to think about. Hopefully I took my chance and did enough to keep me in the team.”
Fraser Aird’s one and only goal for Dunfermline was earlier this season when Livingston came to East End Park for the first time. That was a memorable strike that was all of his own making from receiving the ball on halfway from Jason Talbot. He made a strong run up the left, cut inside and when he saw the opportunity, he placed the ball in the top right of the Livi net. A superb goal to make it 2-0 after 30 minutes.
He hopes another goal celebration happens on Tuesday but stressed that the main objective is three points.
“We need to kick off from where we left off on Saturday. It is always nice to add goals to your game, as I said, but the main objective is to play well enough to get the three points.
“There are only five games left and we couldn’t ask for a game to come at a better time, especially at home. The ball is in our court.”
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