Saturday 10 June 2017

Wee man makes his Scotland debut at Hampden

Ryan Fraser replaced Robert Snodgrass on 65 minutes in Scotland's World Cup qualifiers against England. It was just five minutes later when Alex Oxlaide-Chamberlain, another sub, burst through the Scottish defence and hit a shot that beat Craig Gordon. Scotland came back though with just five minutes to go, after Ryan Fraser won a free kick and Celtic's Leigh Griffith's hit a superb free kick that Joe Hart couldn't keep out. Just to make things better for Scotland and Ryan, Leigh Griffiths hit a second goal from a dead ball position in the right side of the goal, beating a jumping six-man wall to put Scotland ahead. England were not finished though, and an added time finish from Harry Kane close in broke Scottish hearts as England earned a hard fought draw.

Ryan Fraser made his Scottish debut
but Jermain Defoe was an unused substitute.
Fraser came into the game that had been getting more ferocious with Deli Ale coming on for most of the  harsh treatment. But the energy of the crowd was something to behold and Ryan was treated to the full Flower of Scotland as were his team-mates when they went a goal behind. 

Ryan was playing up against Chris Smalling, but his team-mates were finding it hard to get the ball up and near the wee-man as England sought to add to their goal advantage. Fraser had put in some good performances for Bournemouth playing centrally so it was not a big surprise to see him playing through the middle in the number 10 position.


Fraser took a big knock from Gary Cahill in the 85th minute but it did earn Scotland a free kick and Leigh Griffiths banged in the equaliser with just four minutes left to play. He hit the ball over the top of England's five-man wall to give Scotland hope. It was hope that was made into a reality when with a minute left of normal time Leigh Griffith's hit what looked like a winner by stunning Joe Hart again by finding the other side of the goal from 25-yards out.

Harry Kane would have the last word though when Harry Kane ventured forward and was picked out by Raheem Sterling, before volleying home from six yards to earn England a 2-2 draw.


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