One slip and I’m out, says Fraser

CALEY Thistle goalkeeper Michael Fraser knows just one error could cost him his place in the first team.

The 24-year-old completed his first full season in the SPL last term but after the Highland club signed former Aberdeen number one Ryan Esson he admits he will need to improve on the standards of last term.

The pair have been sharing a room at the Farum training complex of Danish Superliga side FC Nordsjaelland, who Caley Thistle play in a closed-doors match tomorrow.

Fraser welcomes the competition and insists any rivalry with Esson will ultimately benefit Inverness.

He said: “It is a challenge but it has always been that way. Last season it was Zibi Malkowski and Ally Ridgers was at the club before him.

“You need two experienced goalkeepers at a club and I think the manager has done well to get Ryan in as I think there were a few clubs looking at him. He strengthens our squad and hopefully I can push on and if Ryan is challenging me more that is good.

“He is quite a forward person and I think he will help the team as the changing room can be a bit quiet. There are a lot of players with different personalities and it good to have him about.

“Only one goalkeeper can play so you are always going to have competition. I had to prove I could play in the SPL last season and I still do.

“One and a half seasons in the first team is not long and I have to be more consistent. My aim is to try to improve on what I did last season – I played 39 games last year and I want to do better.

“If you start thinking you are settled and everything is fine then you can lose it.

“I played quite well at the start of the season even though we were losing.

“If you have a bad game you are straight out the team, but it can be a good thing as it makes you concentrate fully. You have to be consistent as a goalkeeper as we don't get away with mistakes.

“What separates the really good goalkeepers from the rest is a lack of mistakes."

Caley Thistle lost their opening six games in the last campaign and Fraser says it is imperative they avoid a similar beginning this season.

He said: “Hopefully it is going to be a good season, but we need to get a better start. It is tough when you have a poor start and you are on the back foot straight away.

“I think we really need to concentrate on getting out the blocks this year.

“We will need a better start as there is no Gretna this year and it is important we open well.”