Gothenburg Great Neil Simpson is confident the meteoric rise of Calvin Ramsay will inspire Aberdeen’s next generation of young talent.
Former Dons right-back Ramsay was on the bench for Liverpool this week in a 2-0 Champions League group stage defeat of Rangers at Anfield.
It was the first time the 19-year-old had been named in a Liverpool squad since his record transfer to the six time European champions.
Aberdeen Youth Academy graduate Ramsay has been sidelined with an injury following his summer move to Liverpool.
The transfer could be worth up to £8 million for Aberdeen.
The Dons received £4.5m upfront but could land an additional £3.5m in add-ons should the Aberdonian reach certain milestones.
Aberdeen pathways manager Simpson insists the Ramsay success story offers inspiration to rising Dons stars.
He also believes it will help Aberdeen in the bid to secure more top young talent.
Simpson said: “Calvin Ramsay is the perfect example that if a young player comes to Aberdeen it can be a stepping stone.
“Young players see that they can come through the ranks at Aberdeen, get their chance and get into the team
“Then if they do well they will get the step up like Calvin.
“Young players are the lifeblood of any club.
“You get the benefit of game time, minutes on the pitch and then value if you sell them.
“You need young players to come through and then eventually sell them for a big amount, as happened with Calvin.
“It helps in terms of budgets and keeping clubs going.”
English clubs targeting Scotland
Liverpool won the race to sign Ramsay this summer in a transfer which smashed the previous record fee of £3m for Scott McKenna.
A host of English Premier League club watched Ramsay before Liverpool swooped.
Manchester United, Leeds United, Tottenham, West Ham, Leicester City and Southampton all scouted the teen.
Simpson says sourcing Scotland for young talent is becoming an increased focus for many English top flight clubs.
Great experience being in the squad for the first time, excited for more! @LFC 💫 pic.twitter.com/DGXR0bTyxz
— Calvin Ramsay (@CalvinRamsay) October 5, 2022
He said: “After Brexit English clubs cannot just go to countries like France and Spain and pluck out the best players due to the new government rules in terms of work.
“They can take players from the United Kingdom so even more from Scotland are being enticed to go to England early at 16 years old.
“That will have an impact for Scottish clubs as there are more players going down the road, even from Celtic and Rangers.”
Aberdeen graduates star for Scotland
Another Youth Academy graduate, McKenna transferred to then Championship Nottingham Forest in September 2020 for £3m,
Aberdeen received a further £1m this summer when McKenna earned promotion to the English top flight with Forest.
Simpson, like Aberdonian Ramsay, is the ultimate example of a “local loon done good”.
Newmachar-raised Simpson rose through the Pittodrie Youth ranks to become an integral part of Sir Alex Ferguson’s Gothenburg Greats.
He conquered Europe with fellow Youth Academy graduates Neale Cooper and John Hewitt.
Pittodrie legend Simpson, 60, won the European Cup Winners’ Cup and Super Cup in 1983 with Aberdeen, as well as every domestic honour.
Aberdeen’s Youth Academy has consistently delivered top talent through the decades.
Five players in the recent Scotland squad for the UEFA Nations League were part of the Pittodrie Youth Academy at some point.
Winger Ryan Fraser (Newcastle) broke into the Aberdeen team in 2011 before transferring to Bournemouth in 2013.
Fraser has racked up more than 100 English top flight starts.
Fraser set up two goals in the 3-0 defeat of Ukraine and started in the 0-0 draw with Ukraine that saw Scotland win the group.
Former Aberdeen skipper Ryan Jack, now at Rangers, started in the goalless draw with Ukraine.
Defender McKenna started against in the wins against Ukraine (3-0) and Republic of Ireland (2-1).
However the centre-back was ruled out of the 0-0 draw with Ukraine due to injury.
‘Another positive story to tell young players’
Midfielder Kenny McLean (Norwich City) was at Aberdeen from the age of 10 to 14.
Defender Ryan Porteous (Hibs) who made a starting debut in the draw with Ukraine was at Aberdeen from 10 to 12-years-old.
Simpson said: “It’s great when you see boys who were involved with our youth teams do well and become involved with Scotland.
“Even though they are no longer with Aberdeen you still follow their future.
“Scott McKenna and Ryan Fraser are also playing in the Premier League in England.
“That is another positive story to tell the young players at the club.
“Playing for Scotland is the ultimate accolade for any player and something to cherish.
“Even to play once for Scotland is a great achievement.
“That’s your dream when you are a kid, to play for your country.
“When you are just a wee boy kicking the ball in the garden, imagining you are a Scotland player.
“A successful national team seems to help the whole of Scottish football.”
The new breed of Pittodrie talent
Aberdeen’s latest crop of young stars to emerge from the Youth Academy has been spear-headed by Connor Barron.
The 20-year-old midfielder was short-listed for the PFA Scotland Young Player of the award last season.
However he has yet to feature this campaign having suffered a knee injury during pre-season training.
Barron is set to finally return to action in Saturday’s New Firm derby trip to Dundee United.
This season teenagers Ryan Duncan, 18, and Jack Milne, 19, have also been given game time.
Aberdeen have opened contract talks with both Barron and Duncan to tie them up to longer contracts.
Simpson said: “It was great to see Jack Milne and Ryan Duncan come on against Kilmarnock on Saturday.
“Jack MacKenzie is also in the squad.
“Unfortunately Connor Barron has been out since the start of the season.
“That has been disappointing for Connor as it is a nightmare when you are out.
“For the club to have Connor back fit will be a huge boost.
“Connor has so much energy and drive it rubs off on everybody, his enthusiasm.
“We have high hopes for Connor.”
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