BLEACH FOR THE STARS
Ramsey targets new highlight
AARON Ramsey’s return to the blond bombshell look is not as bright as in Euro 2016 – but he is sure he can still be as dazzling. Ramsey rocked a peroxide look in France six years ago when a series of eye-catching displays helped propel Wales into the semifinals and the midfielder into the team of the tournament. Now 31, Ramsey is no longer in his prime after a succession of injuries and unsuccessful moves to Juventus and Rangers. But he is back in France playing for Nice in Ligue 1 and ready to deliver for his country in Qatar after dyeing his hair again for Wales’ first appearance in the finals in 64 years.
“I just fancied a change again, it is falling out,” said Ramsey, who made his Wales debut 14 years ago today at the age of 17. “I thought I would do it now before I can’t any more. I didn’t want to go as bright as last time.
“But I still feel like I am more than capable of producing performances. I never doubt my ability. “For me, it’s about trying to help my team as much as I can to have a successful tournament. “I’m really looking forward to it and hopefully I can be in good form and help the team get out of the group.” When Wales play well it is usually because Ramsey and skipper Gareth Bale both deliver. The pair have an almost telepathic understanding on the pitch, as they illustrated at the last Euros when they combined to help beat Turkey 2-0 to get out of their group.
Bale picked out Ramsey three times to run clear on goal in the first half as the midfielder twice went close before scoring.
Now Wales’ deadly duo are aiming to thrive on the biggest stage of all when Rob Page’s side open their Group B campaign against USA on Monday.
Ramsey said: “I love having that opportunity to play with Bale in thisWales shirt.
“We have grown up together, we’ve been through all different age groups and things like that so we understand each other. We try to help as much as we can individually and as a team to try to achieve our goals.
“It’s a joy to play with him and be a part of this with him.”
The pair have helped Wales reach successive Euros but inspiring the nation to their first World Cup since 1958 had always been the biggest goal.
With two days to go, the excitement is palpable.
Ramsey, who was made skipper aged 20 in the late Gary Speed’s first game as manager in 2011, said: “None of us have experienced a World Cup so this will be different altogether.
“We have been part of a few tournaments and we can take certain experiences from them to help us and take it all in.
“The reality is we are a small nation and we are up against giants of world football.
“But we are always going to be trying to compete with the best teams. We have certainly shown we are capable of doing that over the last few years.
“When Gary Speed first came in, one of the targets was to qualify for the World Cup.
“We didn’t manage to do so under him but this makes it even more special that we have actually gone on to do that now.”