Ross County today announced club captain Marcus Fraser has turned down a new contract and will leave Dingwall after five-and-a-half years.
The former Celtic youngster took the armband after Andrew Davies’ departure in 2018 and led the team, under current bosses Stuart Kettlewell and Steven Ferguson, back into the Premiership in his first season as skipper, as well as lifting the Challenge Cup.
In his time at the Global Energy Stadium, Fraser also helped the Staggies win the League Cup – in 2015/16 – under Jim McIntyre.
Here are five of Fraser’s memorable moments for County:
1. First goal for new club as Partick beaten
In February 2015, defender Fraser bagged his maiden Ross County goal on just his fifth appearance for the club with what was described as a “superb individual goal” afterwards.
The 3-1 win – Fraser’s goal was the visitors’ third – pulled the Staggies off the bottom of the Premiership and out of the relegation zone.
2. Lifting the League Cup at Hampden
Fraser was a mainstay of the Staggies’ run to League Cup glory in 2016, playing in the wins over Ayr and Highland rivals Caley Thistle, and the famous 3-1 semi-final victory over Celtic at Hampden.
In the dramatic final, it was, of course, 1-1 until the 90th minute when Alex Schalk won it for the Dingwall men.
3. Skipper Fraser leads team to silverware success against Welsh rivals
The 2018/19 Irn-Bru Cup final was a phenomenal occasion, in part due to the showpiece taking place in the Highlands at Inverness’ Caledonian Stadium, plus the added intrigue the other finalist being Welsh league side Connah’s Quay Nomads.
County trailed for most of the game, until Josh Mullin came on to score a double in the 75th and 78th minutes, and Jamie Lindsay added another with four minutes left. The win allowed Fraser to lift his first trophy as Ross County skipper.
4. County secure the Championship title and promotion back to top-flight
The Global Energy Stadium was fantastic place to be during the 2018/19 campaign with County eventually winning the second tier, and getting back up to the Premiership at the first attempt, by six points.
The title was confirmed in the best possible circumstances, as the Staggies romped to victory over Queen of the South. For the second time in a few months, Fraser was the man to do the honours and lift the well-earned silverware.
5. Winner in the Premiership against St Mirren
Fraser flew in to stab home a late winner against the visiting Buddies in September, securing a 2-1 victory that was just the Staggies’ second of their first campaign back in the Premiership.
