Ryan Fraser keen to coach - but jokes why he could never be manager

The 29 year old insists he has tried to soak up as much information possible from his previous coaches in a bid to improve.

Manager Russell Martin recently labelled five-foot-four-inch Fraser as a great example to young players and revealed he watches "every game of football" he can.

Speaking to the Daily Echo, the winger opened up on his future plans and willingness to continue learning, despite being in his 12th full season as a professional footballer.

Fraser said: “If you ask the coaches that I’ve had in the past, I like to learn. I’d like to do coaching myself.

"Maybe not a manager, you can’t be smaller than your players as a manager, can you?

”I like to think the more you know, the more you can show younger players.

“You are never too good to improve. There will always be little things in your game that you need to improve on,” he continued. 

"I’ve worked with Eddie Howe, Mick McCarthy and Steve Clarke. If I can get the best out of every coach then that is a massive positive for me and the younger generations coming through.

"As a player, if you don’t want to learn and get better, then there is a problem.”

Ryan Fraser celebrates with 17 year old Sam Amo-Ameyaw (Image: Stuart Martin)

Fraser might have one eye on his long-term future - but the focus here at Saints remains on securing promotion.

The Newcastle United loanee has staked a claim to be the club’s starting winger with Kamaldeen Sulemana and Sam Edozie currently out injured.

The Aberdeen-born winger has made 23 appearances so far this season, however only five of those have come from the first whistle. 

Saturday's 4-0 FA Cup win over Walsall saw Fraser complete his first full 90 minutes in a Southampton shirt.

But Fraser insists he is happy to play any role Martin requires, stating: “I’m loving it. Like I said at the start of the season, I just wanted to enjoy it.

"I wanted to help the team get promoted. I love being here - I think people can tell that. I’m trying to always smile because sometimes you get lost in how good it is here.

“The lads love it here. The winning culture is coming back. We have a group of players who keep their standards really high.

“Everyone wants to play for the badge, everyone wants to play for the club. The fans are starting to see that.

"If I’m back on the bench against Sheffield Wednesday then so be it.”

It will be difficult for Martin to put Fraser back on the bench after his impressive showing in the FA Cup against Walsall.

The winger scored twice and set up Sekou Mara's goal as Southampton ran riot against the League Two side.

Speaking after Fraser’s cameo against Swansea City - which also saw him hit two goals and an assist in 20 minutes - Martin joked that the Scot might fight him if he does not start the next game.

“I wouldn’t like to fight him,” Fraser responded, as a smile beamed across his face.

“I think it would be a little bit silly if I didn’t want to start games, but at the same time we are on such a good run.

“What we are doing right now is working. Whether I come on at 2-0 up, 0-0 or 1-0 down I’m happy to do so and make an impact.

“The main priority is to get promoted, no matter what. If I didn’t play another game and we got promoted I would still be so happy.

"Some boys get down if they don’t play, but I think that hurts you more. If you take it the wrong way it hurts the player and it hurts the team.

“Throughout my career, I’ve always tried to give my best whether I’ve started or come off the bench. If you can do that, it will help the team nine times out of 10.”

Fraser arrived at Southampton from Newcastle in the summer following a difficult period with the Magpies.

He was one of three senior players training with Newcastle's Under-21s due to no longer being part of Eddie Howe's first-team plans.

"I think my time at Newcastle is done now," he continued. "I don’t think you get put out on loan if there is a chance of you going back.

“The second half of last season was tough as we have all seen. Coming here was about helping the team in any way that I could.

“That has been coming off the bench and making an impact in games. It’s such a good feeling to help the team.

Earlier this season, Fraser explained how he is hoping to make his loan switch permanent come the end of the campaign.

The 25-time Scotland international is aware that it is within his control to convince Southampton he should still be at the club next season.

He said: “Promotion is the first thing on my mind, but hopefully I have a good end to the season and the club want to keep me.

"Every time I step onto the pitch or into Staplewood, I need to give myself the best opportunity because there is no place I want to be other than Southampton next season."