NECO NICKS IT
Williams makes it four wins on the spin
WALES youngster Neco Williams claims he turned down an approach from England before making his senior international debut — and he is already starting to show Gareth Southgate what he is missing.
The Liverpool full-back headed the only goal deep in stoppage time after coming on as a secondhalf substitute against Bulgaria to make it two wins from two for Ryan Giggs’ men and put them in early control of their UEFA Nations League group, following their 1-0 win in Finland last Thursday.
Williams, 19, was born in Wrexham but would have been eligible to play for England through grandparents — yet says he had no interest in doing so. The nations are scheduled to meet in a friendly at Wembley on October 8.
‘I had interest from England but I spoke to the gaffer and I said my intentions are with Wales,’ said Williams before the game. ‘England were trying to snap at me but I wasn’t having any of it.’
Williams is highly regarded by Jurgen Klopp and showed exactly why here. After replacing Connor Roberts in the 65th minute, he was one of Wales’s liveliest players and his goal lit up a desperate game.
Hal Robson-Kanu found fellow sub Jonny Williams on the left and the midfielder’s delivery was perfect for his namesake to nod past Georgi Georgiev in the final minute of added time.
‘It will be a day I remember for the rest of my life,’ said Williams. ‘When you’re a kid you dream of playing for your country. Hopefully I will keep getting chances and more goals. This squad is like a family.’
In two substitute appearances, Williams has made a strong case for selection for Euro 2020. As long as he is healthy, Gareth Bale will also be there after he started his second game in four days — as many as he has started in seven months for Real Madrid.
Yet not even the four-times Champions League winner could bring this match to life, with Bulgaria managing to contain a Wales side missing key men Aaron Ramsey, Joe Allen, Chris Mepham and Joe Rodon for long periods.
The closest Wales came in the regular 90 minutes was when David Brooks, playing his first international for more than a year, hit the outside of a post with 15 minutes remaining.
That was one of very few chances in a game which — perhaps understandably given the tough club season ahead — was rarely played above jogging pace.
‘Neco has loads of quality and confidence in his ability, and he is a great lad,’ Giggs told Sky Sports. ‘He has brought new energy to the group. I was umming and ahhing about whether to start him.
‘As well as his goal, his overall play was fantastic, so I was delighted for him.
‘We now have four straight wins and four clean sheets. In the first half we were poor but we stepped it up in the second half and got what we deserved.
‘Our strength in depth is improving and I have difficult decisions to make, not only with the XI but with the squad. And when you think of the players missing, there is a lot of quality to come in.’