COLEMAN’S QUEST FOR GLORY

CHRIS COLEMAN has revealed he is not yet satisfied by the performance of Wales, insisting: ‘I always want more.’ The Wales manager savoured the 3-0 victory over Russia that will go down as one of the nation’s greatest sporting nights but said his focus switched quickly to the challenge ahead. ‘I don’t know if I could use the word “suffered” with it, but ever since I was 10 or 11 and winning the league or a cup final I always wanted more,’ said Coleman. ‘I’m never content. I don’t know if it’s a curse or a good thing. When a special moment happens I really enjoy it but I’m over it quickly. I remember it, yes, but I want to chase the next one. ‘Russia was brilliant. But now what? If we get knocked out in the next round, remembering the Russia game won’t make us feel any better.’ Wales topped Group B after beating Russia to set up a last-16 tie against Northern Ireland in Paris today but Coleman said: ‘We want to go further and we’ve a chance. Let’s do everything we can to take that chance. What we can gain is incredible.’ The prospect of penalties looms large now and Wales have never been in a shootout before. Coleman said he did not know who his takers would be, conceding he will wait for players to put their hands up. He said: ‘They practise every day but how do you recreate that? You can take a thousand penalties and it won’t prepare you. We’ve never been there. It’ll just be, “Do you want to take one?” You’d expect someone to step up and I imagine they will.’ Coleman was asked of his own experiences. ‘Me? 100 per cent,’ he said. ‘Took one, missed one. Against Leicester in 2000, a cup quarter-final. I think the ball is still travelling now.’ Coleman would like to finish off Northern Ireland before then, however. ‘My players have fantastic sprit and a real sense of urgency to do well,’ he said.