Ryan Fraser believes joining Town can help him to achieve his ambition and follow new team-mate Christophe Berra into Scotland’s senior international squad.

The young winger, who will spend the entire 2015-16 campaign on loan from Bournemouth, appears to be on the right road, having scored twice in eight appearances for his country’s U21 side and before that earning recognition at U19 level.

Fraser, 21, said: “It has always been my aim to play for my country and I want to get into the senior squad alongside Christophe. I won quite a few caps for the U21s, which is one level down, and I’m sure I can get there.

“Gordon Strachan [the Scotland manager] was at a couple of my games last season. He saw me against Aston Villa in the FA Cup and I did well.

“He spoke to a couple of people and said I just need to play more games, gain more experience and then I might get a chance. If I play well here I don’t see why not.”

Fraser arrived in sweltering Suffolk this week and admitted: “It’s been hard in the heat and even in the shade. I heard on the news that it was the warmest day on Wednesday and I felt it. Running was a real struggle.

“You do all your pre-season running and stuff like that but your main aim is to play games and I can’t wait to kick a ball, get to know the lads and the way they play.

“I just want to get my head down and play football and I’m 100 per cent excited at the prospect of playing for Ipswich at Portman Road.

“We had two very close games against Ipswich last season. I remember the one at Portman Road, which was on Sky. I played in that one and it was a good game between two contrasting sides.

“I think we tried to play a little bit more but it was hard to play against Ipswich. They were difficult all season and that’s how they got into the play-offs. I’m looking forward to it and I’m hoping it will at least happen again.”

Fraser may have his heart set on graduating to the full Scottish squad but he has no desire, at least for the time being, to return north of the border for his club football.

He came in for a lot of criticism when he left SPL outfit Aberdeen for Bournemouth, who were in England’s third tier at the time.

He admitted: “They crucified me. I got some stick but I got over it and the experience has made me stronger as a person and I’ve become a lot more independent.

“As far as the football is concerned I think it’s quicker down here and maybe stronger.

In the SPL a couple of years ago it was really tough but I don’t really know what it’s like now. It’s different in certain aspects — you’ve got better facilities down here and more players and staff — but it’s hard to explain.”

Photo: Action Images

AbujaBlue added 11:33 - Jul 3 A very diplomatic way of saying that even the third tier of English footie is miles ahead of the SPL!
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