We’ll deliver for Wales’ dynamic duo
WALES stalwart Jonny Williams says they are determined to thrive in Qatar after finally giving Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey a chance on the biggest stage.
Manager Rob Page names his 26-man squad tonight to play in Wales’ first global tournament for 64 years.
Swindon midfielder Williams has been thinking about the tournament every day since Wales won their World Cup play-off against Ukraine on June 5.
He admits he is primarily thrilled that captain and record scorer Bale will be there alongside Ramsey, who has scored 20 times for his country in 75 appearances.
“The whole squad wanted to achieve it for players like Ramsey and Bale, who have been at the top level for their whole careers,” Williams said.
“But potentially they might never have played at aWorld Cup. For what they’ve done for us as a team, they deserve to be there.”
Williams was part of the squad at the past two Euros as Bale and Ramsey spearheaded their efforts.
But Wales’ opener against USA at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan will be a new high for Page’s men, who are in Group B with Iran and England.
Williams added: “As a kid, a World Cup was beyond my wildest dreams and you have to pinch yourself.
“It has been very hard not to think about the World Cup pretty much every day since we qualified.
“You felt it was meant to be after all those years of trying. It was an amazing feeling to be part of that squad, achieving something that hadn’t been achieved for so long.”
Page’s squad announcement in Tylorstown in the Rhondda Valley will be a poignant moment for the
Wales manager, who grew up there.