The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Ramsay confident he will reach top
Aberdeen rightback Calvin Ramsay believes he can emulate Andy Robertson and Kieran Tierney by becoming an English Premier League star.
The 18-year-old’s breakthrough season hit another milestone when he was named the SFWA’s DoubleTree by Hilton SPFL Young Player of the Year.
Ramsay joins an illustrious list of winners of the football writers’ award, including Arsenal left-back Tierney, who won the honour three times from 2016-18.
Tierney and Liverpool’s Robertson are full-backs blazing a path in the richest league in world football.
And Ramsay is confident he can follow in their footsteps.
Quadruple-chasing Liverpool are understood to be lining up a summer swoop for Ramsay.
The teen, contracted until summer 2023, says he has modelled his game on Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Now he could be set for a dream summer switch to Anfield as back-up to the English international defender.
Ramsay said: “Andy Robertson and Kieran Tierney are brilliant and players I look up to.
“Especially as a full-back, I play in the same position as them and have seen what they’ve done.
“I feel I could go on to do that as well. I know I’ve got to work hard, keep playing and keep putting in good performances.
“I like to watch videos of the top players like Alexander-Arnold and Kyle Walker (Manchester City) and try to base my game on them.
“Obviously they’re at a high level and if I try and base my game on them, then I know that I’ve got a chance of going as far as I can.
“As a full-back, watching
Alexander-Arnold and his crosses and his technical ability, if I can get to that level then it would be a bonus.
“But at Aberdeen, I’m just trying to do as well as I can and see where that takes me.”
Ramsay joins an illustrious list of SFWA’s DoubleTree by Hilton Scottish SPFL Young Player of the Year winners.
Aberdeen team-mate Lewis Ferguson secured the honour in 2020.
Other former winners include James McFadden, Craig Gordon, Scott Brown, James Forrest and Stuart Armstrong.
Ramsay topped a fiveman shortlist for the honour comprising Josh Doig (Hibernian), Ross Graham (Dundee United), Nathan Patterson (Rangers/Everton) and Stephen Welsh (Celtic).
He said: “I’m buzzing. There are some big players, great players, who have won the award.
“It’s just a massive achievement for me really.
“It’s not been a good season for the team, we know we needed to do better.
“But on a personal note coming in for my first full season in professional football, I think I’ve done well.”
The teen is entirely focused on helping Aberdeen finish the Premiership campaign positively.
Ramsay, however, has been a substitute in the last two games – defeats at home to Ross County and Livingston.
He said: “There have been quite a few clubs linked with me, in January as well. But, for me, I’m still an Aberdeen player.
“I’ve still got to focus on the four games left this season and keep putting in good performances if I can get myself back in the team.
“In the summer, we’ll see where it takes me.”