Over the weekend, Scotland played host to the Republic of Ireland at Hampden Park and managed to claim a 2-1 victory over their rivals despite falling a goal behind.
Indeed, John Egan put Ireland ahead before Jack Hendry levelled with a header shortly after the half-time break. With the clock running down, Ryan Christie eventually netted the winner with an 81st-minute penalty.
Fraser came off the bench in the game, and having shone with two assists in the win over Ukraine, it seems as though he caught the eye again with another good cameo.
Indeed, Downie took to Twitter to say: “Ryan Fraser again excellent for Scotland tonight – ROI couldn’t handle his pace in the second half. John McGinn & Callum McGregor again so good. There’s a growing belief in this Scotland squad right now… just gutted we’re not going to the World Cup the way we’re playing.”
Will Ryan Fraser be a key player for NUFC this season?
Yes
No
TIF Thoughts on
Despite having started three Premier League games and come off the bench in two others, Fraser has not scored nor provided an assist for Newcastle so far this season (via Transfermarkt).
With that in mind, he would have likely been delighted to have finally contributed to a couple of goals with his substitute appearance against Ukraine.
Against Ireland, however, he did not manage to directly help his side score, but he did cause plenty of problems by having two shots (one on target), completing 82% of his passes, succeeding with two crosses, winning two ground duels, making one tackle and winning one foul in just 31 minutes (via SofaScore).
No doubt, he will be hoping to carry this impressive form back to Newcastle when domestic football returns after the international break.