CHERRIES ace Nathan Ake is eager to enhance his reputation on the international stage and is looking forward to a potential clash with club team-mate Ryan Fraser.

Capped three times at senior level by the Netherlands, the 22-year-old could face up against Scotland winger Fraser when the nations meet in a friendly at Pittodrie on Thursday (7.45pm).

Ake had his selection in Dick Advocaat’s squad confirmed last week.

Former Aberdeen man Fraser is part of the set-up under interim Scotland manager Malky Mackay for the clash – set to take place in his home town.

Both nations missed out on World Cup qualification last month. The Dutch finished third in Group A behind France and Sweden.

Scotland recorded a third-place finish in Group F, with table-toppers England booking their place at the finals.

Ex-Chelsea man Ake revealed he and Fraser had talked about the potential match-up between them ahead of the international break.

Ake, who has been featuring at left-back for his country, told the Daily Echo: “We spoke about this and it’s quite funny. It will be good to see him.”

The defender played 90 minutes during Holland’s most recent international – a 2-0 home victory over Sweden in October.

And he is eager to be part of his national side’s progress, as they look to re-build having squandered the chance to qualify for Russia 2018.

Ake added: “We didn’t qualify for the World Cup and that is a bit of a down side but I think we need to start building from now on.

“It is good that I have been called up again. I am happy with that and I can learn a lot.

“Hopefully, I get some minutes and, if I don’t, it is good to be around the squad anyway.

“We have had some big games and some games with pressure and it’s good to see how everyone deals with it. It’s good to be around it and it’s one of the biggest platforms you can have. To be there now is good for me.”

Following the clash against Scotland, the Netherlands are set to make the trip to face Romania in Bucharest on Tuesday.

Fraser recently expressed his frustration at a lack of game time during former Scotland boss Gordon Strachan’s tenure.

The 23-year-old Aberdonian has picked up just one senior cap, coming off the bench in the 2-2 draw against England in a World Cup qualifier at Hampden Park in June.

Fraser first joined Strachan’s pool in March, only to see his chances of winning a first full cap dashed when he was ruled out of games against Canada and Slovenia due to injury.

He had been due to start the friendly against Canada but was forced to watch the match from a seat in the stand after suffering a swollen knee on the day of the game.