Facing Scotland’s elite clubs does not faze Ross County skipper Marcus Fraser as the Staggies prepare for their Premiership return.
County have restored their top-flight status, after winning last season’s Championship title only 12 months on from suffering the drop.
The Staggies will now be reacquainted with some of the biggest grounds in the country, however defender Fraser says the challenge of playing at the likes of Parkhead and Ibrox is one his side should relish rather than fear.
Fraser said: “I have found it myself ever since I have been at Ross County, when we go to the bigger grounds we do normally play well.
“If we can get a goal, the confidence starts to build and you can see us passing it about.
“We will obviously need that this season. Hopefully we can go to those places and take points off them.
“We have got a good team. We just need to do our talking on the pitch. If we play well and perform, ultimately we are going to stay in the league.
“I think that’s got to be the aim for a promoted team coming up. I don’t think we can be talking about where we are going to be or where we are going to finish, because that’s just getting ahead of ourselves.”
Fraser knows the Staggies will face stiffer tests in the Premiership this year, however he feels the momentum gained on County’s pathway to the title can serve the Dingwall men well.
The 25-year-old added: “Going down last year was not the best thing that happened, but I think it got the players close together again. We started winning games of football, which was important.
“I think this year we’re in good hands. There are no negative thoughts on anybody’s mind really. We want to try and continue this winning habit we’ve been on.
“Of course we are realistic, we know it’s going to be difficult. But we are up for the challenge and we think we’ve got a strong team that can do it.”
Fraser has several years of top-flight experience with the Staggies, after joining from Celtic in 2015, but he has backed some of County’s younger players to make a strong impact this term, adding: “There are a lot of guys who haven’t played in the Premiership before who are keen to impress.
“That’s also good, it’s fresh in their mind it’s their first season but they are ready for it.
“Hopefully they can show what they can do. We will be looking to do that as well.
“I know how I felt when I was thrown in for my first game against Celtic. I felt it was time for me, I knew I could play at this level and wanted to do it.
“I have been doing it for a good few years now and I have enjoyed it all.”
