Page lauds Welsh for progress in post-Bale era

Rob Page believes Wales have come “a long way” since the retirement of Gareth Bale to be within one win of reaching Euro 2024.

Wales host Poland in a play-off final at Cardiff City Stadium tonight, with a place in Germany this summer at stake. Victory would see Wales play at a third successive European Championship and a fourth major tournament out of five after qualifying for the 2022 World Cup.

But this time Wales would achieve qualification without talismanic former captain Bale, their record caps holder and goalscorer who retired a few months before the start of Euro 2024 qualifying in January 2023.

“Look back to the semi-final and final before the World Cup and Gareth scored the three goals,” said boss Page, recalling Bale’s brilliance in the play-offs that guided Wales to Qatar.

“We had one of the world’s best footballers and it shows how far we’ve come in a short space of time. We are only one tournament past Gareth’s retirement and one win away from qualifying.

“We’re a country where, if we can be there or thereabouts at the end of the campaign to qualify, while we’re still in this transition of introducing young players without some of the world-class senior players we’ve had, then we’re in a good place.

“That’s where we are at this time and it’s quite a significant move. It shows the strength in depth and quality we’ve got coming through.”

Defender Ben Davies and goalkeeper Danny Ward will start against Polandand remain from Euro 2016, when Wales reached the semi-finals at their first major tournament since the 1958 World Cup.

Aaron Ramsey and Wayne Hennessey, two more Euro 2016 survivors, will be on the bench, but Page, who took the reins from Ryan Giggs in November 2020, has focused on introducing younger players over the past year or so.

Ethan Ampadu (23) and 19-year-old Jordan James form the central midfield axis, while the likes of Brennan Johnson, Daniel James and Neco Williams also provide pace and energy.

“Having younger legs doesn’ t guarantee positive results, but it gives you the best opportunity,” said Page.

Wales v Poland, Live, VM3/Premier Sports, 7.45