Aberdeen winger Ryan Fraser has been named young player of the month in the Scottish Premier League.

The 18-year-old received the Clydesdale Bank award after helping the Dons finish September unbeaten.

They drew with St Mirren, Inverness Caley Thistle and Motherwell before beating Hibernian in the SPL.

Fraser was rested for the League Cup win over Dunfermline Athletic, with manager Craig Brown wishing to protect the product of the club's youth policy.

Brown has been concerned that the winger was being targeted for some harsh treatment from opposing teams.

Kilmarnock manager Kenny Shiels thought the attention Fraser received ahead of Saturday's visit by the Dons to Rugby Parkled to referee Steven McLean giving the winger undue protection.

Fraser again impressed and set up his side's second goal inAberdeen's 3-1 win.

But Brown felt that Kilmarnock played the diminutive teenager fairly despite one or two hefty challenges.

"If some people thought some of those tackles were bad, they haven't seen what he has faced in previous games," pointed out Brown.

"They weren't dangerous tackles and I think it is good to see his kind of talent - and Kilmarnock's Chris Johnstone.

"It is just a pity Fraser is away with Scotland Under-19s as he needs a bit of a rest."