BARRON TO FOLLOW IN RAMSAY’S FOOTSTEPS

Connor Barron has set his sights on following friend and former Aberdeen team-mate Calvin Ramsay into the senior Scotland squad.

Barron is in line to win his fourth Scotland U21 cap when Scot Gemmill’s side host Iceland at Fir Park in a free-entry friendly tonight.

The Aberdeen midfielder, who has enjoyed loan spells with both Brechin City and Kelty Hearts, lined up alongside Ramsay for club and country last season but the right-back is with Steve Clarke’s squad in Turkey this week after making his Liverpool first-team breakthrough.

Barron also made a major impact in the Dons’ first team towards the end of last season and is intent on pursuing the same path as Ramsay.

“It’s always an honour to get called up and play for your national team, whatever level that is,” the 20-year-old said.

“The main squad is my aim, that’s where I want to be. But I have got to do my business here and make sure we go on and have a good campaign and pick up results first and foremost.

“But it is a good platform because he (Clarke) has shown in the past he will give boys a chance if they are doing well. That’s every boy’s aim in this squad, I’m sure, and it is definitely mine too.

“It needs a lot of hard work and dedication and you have got to go on and prove that you deserve to be there.

“I am buzzing for Calvin. Last year he was brilliant throughout the season and he got his big move. I am buzzing for him because it shows all his hard work has paid off.

“I want to follow in his footsteps and go and play at the highest level.”

Barron became a regular feature in the Aberdeen first team under Jim Goodwin after returning from his stint with Kelty midway through last season.

However, he missed the first three months of this campaign because of a knee injury.