COLWILL WAS CLOSE TO EXIT – MORISON
TALK about sliding doors moments... Cardiff City starlet Rubin Colwill has enjoyed a whirlwind few months – going from training with the Bluebirds’ first team, making his debut under Mick McCarthy, getting called up by Wales for the European Championships then making his international bow against none other than world champions France last week.
It’s Roy of the Rovers-type stuff for the Neath-born teenager, but the story could have been oh so different.
The Bluebirds academy has certainly delivered in recent times, with the likes of Colwill, Joel Bagan and Tom Sang making the step up from age-grade football to first-team duties.
Sol Bamba recently identified the next four cabs off the rank, and the future appears bright for the pathway in the Welsh capital.
But sometimes difficult conversations have to be had, and with youngsters developing and maturing at different rates it can be a delicate situation to be in, especially when decisions can lead to a great deal of disappointment.
Indeed, Cardiff under-23s coach Steve Morison admits that Colwill was close to being cut last summer, which appears eye-opening now after his recent ascendancy.
“A year ago we’re... discussing who’s going to be retained and released for the upcoming season and Rubin was a discussion,” Morrison said on BBC Wales.
“There was a conversation about Sion Spence, a bit of comparison between the two – who are we going to keep?
“We decided to keep Rubin and let Sion go and find his way elsewhere.”
Spence was the player who was let go, and he was picked up by Premier League side Crystal Palace and he has found success in their under-23s ranks. Colwill was retained and the rest is history.
He made six appearances for McCarthy before getting the shock call from Rob Page last weekend.
Although Colwill did not feature against Albania on Saturday, his cameo against the French in Nice on Wednesday capped off an astonishing few months for the 19-year-old.
“This is the reason we do it, because you allow people like Rubin who has got everything you need to be a professional football player at the highest level in his armoury, he just needs to fine-tune it and work like he’s done all season,” added Morison.
“We’ve gone from that conversation in the first lockdown to watching him come on against France, an allstar team, and he’s lining up with people like Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey.
“What a story and I spoke to him yesterday (Thursday) and he just needs to make sure he doesn’t forget what’s got him there and how he needs to keep on learning and keep on progressing, because this is just the start for him now.”
Page surprised many when he included Colwill in his 26-man squad for the upcoming Euros but he hasn’t looked out of place. Far from it, in fact, with the Wales coach admitting the starlet had blown people away with his attitude.
“He’s just been a breath of fresh air since he came in,” Page said when quizzed on the youngster’s inclusion.
“I’ve known about him for a few weeks. He’s played Championship football with Cardiff. I’ve seen him on a couple of occasions and he’s really impressed me.
“He’s got a presence. Something that maybe we’ve not got in the middle of the park as well. He can play off the right, play as a 10. He can play midfield. So that’s a bonus when you’re looking at picking a squad.
“We had the EFL camp as well, which is always good because it’s that bridge from when the Championship finishes to give those players extra time on the grass and get the young ones in to have a look at them. It’s always been beneficial every time we’ve done it.
“He just blew us all away with how he was and he conducted himself. He’s a top, top professional already and a great lad to have around the place.
“It helps having the three. We have 26 to pick from. That gives us a little bit of leeway to bring him in as well.
“But it’s not just because of that. It’s the impression he’s made since he came on camp.”