The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Ramsay kept out of squad to to protect teen from injury
Liverpool transfer target Calvin Ramsay was rested against Hibernian as protection against injury, Aberdeen boss Jim Goodwin has confirmed.
It is understood Premier League giants Liverpool are on the verge of landing Ramsay in a club-record £4 million deal.
That is less than the £4.8m the Dons rejected from Italian Serie A side Bologna during the January transfer window.
However, it is believed Liverpool’s fee could eventually rocket up to £6m with add-ons.
The 18-year-old was left out of the squad for the 1-1 draw with Hibs at the weekend.
Goodwin confirmed Ramsay was rested as the Scotland U21 cap is suffering from an injury niggle.
Ramsay wanted to play at Easter Road. But Goodwin was unwilling to gamble with the rightback’s fitness.
The Reds boss was concerned facing Hibs could aggravate the problem.
Following that rest Goodwin hopes Ramsay could face St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park tomorrow night.
On why Ramsay was not in the squad, Goodwin said: “A simple explanation.
“Calvin is only a young man and has played a lot of football up to now.
“He has a slight little niggle in his calf and probably could have played and got through it.
“However, I didn’t see the point in putting the young fella at risk to be honest.
“He wanted to play but I made the decision that it was probably sensible that we rest him up.
“If I had played him against Hibs and his calf had gone then he is looking at six weeks out during the summer. And no one wants that.”
Ramsay was recently named Scottish Football Writers’ Young Player of the Year.
He is understood to be viewed by Liverpool as a potential long-term successor to England international Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Liverpool’s anticipated £4m move for Ramsay would smash Aberdeen’s club-record fee received.
That stands at £3m for the sale of Scotland international Scott McKenna to Nottingham Forest in September 2020.
Ramsay was presented with his DoubleTree By Hilton SFWA Young Scottish Player of the Year award at a ceremony in Glasgow on Sunday night.
Goodwin insists it is vital he and the club protect Ramsay.
He said: “It is very hard for these teenagers when they come into the first team and play Premier League. It is very intense week in week out.
“Calvin has had a great season and won the Young Player of the Year award.
“That is great recognition for what he has done this season. But we need to protect him at times.”