Dons starlet would love to follow in Hickey’s footsteps
Calvin Ramsay says he is open to the possibility of following Aaron Hickey to Italy, and is ready to join him with Scotland.
The Aberdeen full-back, winner of the SFWA Young Player of the Year award, has been linked to Liverpool in the last few days.
Yet while that move would hold obvious appeal, the failed attempt from Hickey’s club, Bologna, to sign him in January clearly made a big impression.
“Italy would definitely interest me. It is one of the top five leagues in the world,” said the 18-year-old.
“Hickey has gone there, played and been scoring. He has done really well.
“It is something I would like to try one day. But I have to be performing at club level first.
“We will have to wait to see in the summer. My main focus is Aberdeen.”
The Dons manager, Jim Goodwin, who has banged the drum for Ramsay by describing him as one of the world’s best young fullbacks, has made it clear the club would not stand in his way.
And the Aberdonian is happy to embrace the comparisons with his countrymen, who have quit the Scottish club game for greener pastures.
“There are heaps of brilliant Scottish full-backs – not just experienced ones – but young guys like Aaron Hickey and Nathan Patterson,” Ramsay continued.
“The competition is there but I feel I can go on and be
as good as them one day.
I just know I have to keep working hard.
“Kieran Tierney and Andy Robertson are left-backs, but they are good role models for me.”
Hickey, who could himself be moving to Arsenal in an £18-million deal, made his full Scotland debut at just 19, and Ramsay would love to follow suit.
“I think I’d definitely be ready,” he said. “I’ve played with the Under-21s already, and did all right.
“But playing for your national team is what everyone wants to do.”
For all he has high ambitions for his future, the teenager is grateful for what football has already given him.
“I’m a local lad, supported Aberdeen my whole life and came right the way through the academy from the age of nine,” Ramsay said.
“It was a dream for me to play for Aberdeen, and as soon as I got the call to play in the first-team, I wanted to give my all.
“It has been a poor season for us. We are not where we want to be, but I have enjoyed every minute of it.
“There has been some ups and downs, like getting my injury halfway through the season. But overall it has been brilliant for me.
“I put pressure on myself to perform as best I can, and help the club out.
“We know we can be better, and next season we will show that.
“My dad is a lifelong Aberdeen fan, so when we’ve not had a good result, I have to go home and listen to him!
“He has been a big influence on me, and I just want to give a bit back to
him.”