InterviewCalvin Ramsay on first LFC start, Scotland call-up and Robertson advice
It was a week that got better and better for Calvin Ramsay.
After the right-back’s injury-enforced wait to make his Liverpool debut ended with a substitute appearance against Napoli last week, a first start followed in Wednesday night’s Carabao Cup clash with Derby County.
Ramsay played the full tie, which the Reds won on penalties to progress to round four, having earlier the same day been given his maiden call-up to the senior Scotland squad for their upcoming friendly in Turkey.
Little surprise, then, that the 19-year-old was ‘buzzing’ when Liverpoolfc.com sat down with him at the AXA Training Centre on Thursday morning.
“It has been brilliant,” he said. “Obviously made my debut last week for Liverpool and in the Champions League as well. It was a good moment.
“Yesterday [Wednesday] 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.”
Read on for more from Ramsay as he discusses the shootout victory over Derby, the visit of Southampton in the Premier League on Saturday and learning from compatriot Andy Robertson…
On the clash with Derby and it being a memorable conclusion by winning on penalties…
It was obviously a tough game. We had a lot of young players, quite a few youth players, playing. We knew it was going to be a challenge – they came with a strong team and obviously wanted to do well in the competition as well. I think in the final third we lacked a bit at times but we won the game in the end, played well, some really good football and at the end you could hear the fans and how much it meant to them, and obviously us, all the young ones. It was a special day for us.
Because we won it last time we want to win it again. The young players that came in are obviously hungry to get game time and hungry to do well. I think everyone did that, everyone played well.
WATCH: Extended highlights and penalty shootout v Derby
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On having to be patient due to his injury and being ready to contribute now…
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.
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.
On the importance of continuing momentum with a win over Southampton this weekend…
Yeah, it’s very important. Obviously we didn’t start how we would have liked to start, but we’ve got a few wins now and we’re building confidence. Obviously Southampton have just got a new manager so they’ll all be wanting to prove a point why they should be in the starting team. Coming to Anfield they know it’ll be tough. I’m sure it’ll be a good game; hopefully we can go and perform and get another three points.
On achieving another dream by receiving his first call-up to the senior Scotland national side…
It has been amazing. 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.
On following advice from Robertson with club and country…
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.