Calvin Ramsay admits he's had a week to remember after earning a Scotland call-up and making his Liverpool debut as he hopes to put behind a challenging start to life at the English Premier League giants.
Ramsay made the £6.5million move from Aberdeen to the Anfield in the summer but spent the first three months on the treatment table because of a back injury before being named in the senior matchday squad for the first time in a Champions League clash with Rangers on October 4. He didn't get on that night but his hard work since then hasn't gone unnoticed with the 19-year-old making his Liverpool debut as a substitute against Napoli on last Tuesday.
The plaudits were out for Ramsay's cameo performance as pundits and fans waxed lyrical about the right back which earned him a starting place in Jurgen Klopp's side for the EFL Cup meeting of Derby County on Wednesday - and on the same day he was awarded with a first inclusion in Steve Clarke's Scotland squad for the upcoming friendly against Turkey.
Ramsay expressed how proud he and his family have been with the career defining set of circumstances and revealed just how nerve-wracking it initially was to walk out representing the Merseyside club. He said: “It has been brilliant. Obviously made my debut last week for Liverpool and in the Champions League as well. It was a good moment. Yesterday as well getting my first full debut, first start in the cup, played well. That was very good. And obviously on top of that, the Scotland call-up for the first time.
“It has been a brilliant week for me and for my family as well, it’s a proud moment for us all. Obviously I was injured when I first came here. I wanted to come and just get started straight away but it wasn’t the case, I was out for a month or two. I was ready to get back and get onto the pitch. I knew what the atmosphere would be like.
“I was obviously a bit nervous before both of the games but once I got my first touches and settled into the game, I think I coped with it alright. Hopefully I can get some more now.”
Ramsay will have a familiar face in teammate Andy Robertson when he meets up with the Scotland camp for the first time and the 19-year-old has dubbed the call-up "a dream come true" after going up through all the age groups. And he believes he's competing with some amazing full backs such as Robertson and Kieran Tierney who he can hopefully learn from and improve.
"It has been amazing," added Ramsay. "Obviously first coming to Liverpool and making my debut. Then getting the Scotland call-up as well for the first team, it has been amazing. I think I’ve been in all the Scotland age groups coming up. Now to make the final step and get into the first team, it’s a special moment. I can’t wait – hopefully I get on the pitch and make my debut for Scotland as well.
"It’s some team, to be fair. With the full-backs, there’s a lot of young full-backs coming up and the full-backs we’ve got in the first team – Robertson, Kieran Tierney and that – they’re top players. There’s competition for every place. I’ve just to go there, train well and hopefully catch the manager’s eye and get a few minutes on the pitch. I’m just buzzing to be called up to Scotland, it’s what you dream of as a kid. To actually be there now and doing it is a dream come true."
Asked if Robertson has given him any advice ahead of a potential first national team cap. Ramsay replied: "Obviously it has been good because I almost know what it’s going to take when I go away there, I know what it’s going to be like. He’ll obviously help me and coach me at different points when he can. I’ve just got to listen to him, take his advice and hopefully try to follow in his footsteps."
And the former Aberdeen starlet insists he wants to build on his breakthrough week by continuing to work hard and push for a regular slot in Klopp's first XI. Although he understands that sometimes you've got to be patient for opportunities to come.
Ramsay continued: "Obviously it’s a big squad, top players, and you’ve just got to wait your turn and get minutes. I was out injured but I’ve just worked hard and come back from my injury and got a few minutes. I’m looking to build on that now. I'm very happy to be in the squad and stuff like that. Hopefully I can get a few more [games], get more minutes and maybe contribute to a few goals or assists here and there, it’ll be good."
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