Scotland boss Steve Clarke has branded questions over Newcastle United winger Ryan Fraser’s commitment to his country as “unfair”.
Fraser withdrew from Scotland’s squad ahead of their important World Cup qualifiers against Moldova and Denmark respectively in November 2021 – citing a calf problem as his reason.
However, Fraser was subsequently photographed training with Newcastle, which raised doubts over his loyalty to Scotland. Clarke was unimpressed by Fraser’s situation at the time although Newcastle reportedly claimed that he was simply testing the injury when on camera.
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Clarke revealed in March that Fraser had apologised for his actions and has included the 28-year-old in his squad for the first time in eleven months. The former West Brom manager has insisted that the situation regarding Fraser has been resolved and has no doubts over his commitment to Scotland.
“It’s just a picture,” Clarke told The Scotsman. “You can always go on the training pitch even though you’ve got an injury. He probably wasn’t training flat out but would have been working towards his recovery. If I wasn’t totally satisfied [about his commitment] he wouldn’t be in the squad.”
He added in an interview with The Evening Glasgow Times: “I think it’s unfair. In March [before friendlies against Poland and Austria] I had a discussion with Ryan. He wasn’t playing at Newcastle and it was better for him to stay there and get himself in the team.
“Then he would be selected based on performances for Newcastle. He was injured in the summer so I couldn’t pick him then. Now he’s in the team and performing well at the start of the season and he’s in the squad. He improves the squad.”
Scotland failed to qualify for the World Cup after losing 3-1 in their World Cup play-off semi-final against Ukraine at Hampden Park in June.
Fraser featured from the bench against Czech Republic and Croatia respectively at Euro 2020 but was an unused substitute in the Tartan Army’s goalless draw against England.
The winger has started Newcastle's last two games against Liverpool and Crystal Palace respectively due to Allan Saint-Maximin’s injury layoff. Fraser has been capped 22 times by Scotland since making his international bow in 2017, scoring four goals and registering seven assists.
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