City youngster Low hoping to become Wales Under-21 regular

BRISTOL City defensive talent Joe Low is hoping his first international goal, on just his second appearance, can prove the catalyst to becoming a regular in Wales’ Under-21 set-up.

The central defender’s form during his loan spell with League Two Walsall was rewarded with a callup to Matt Jones’ side for their double-header of matches against Colombia and Scotland. Wales and Low’s international break couldn’t have gone any better with two clean sheets in 2-0 and 3-0 victories, including scoring his side’s second against the Scots on Sunday.

Scotland couldn’t deal with Low’s physical presence and aerial threat, with the 21-year-old, pictured, making a superb run to the near post from a corner. He glanced his header across goal, diverting it away from the keeper and into the back of the net.

Attentions will now turn to the summer when they begin their Euro U21 qualification campaign with a game against Denmark in June. It’s the first of eight games before the tournament gets underway in two years’ time.

Speaking after his goal, Low told the Welsh FA: “We had been doing set-pieces all week and I was told to go around the back multiple times but I think they were starting to realise it so just a bit of communication, I said aim towards the front and I was just going to throw myself at the ball and I got lucky enough to get on the end of it. “The boys have been brilliant, they’ve put an arm around me and have been really welcoming. It’s something I want to be a part of and it’s always good to take this into it and carry on the good results. Obviously being here all week, training with the boys and finally being able to put the shirt on with everyone around me is a brilliant opportunity and I’m very happy. We spoke about earning the right to play and we dug in for the first 10, it wasn’t where we wanted to be until we scored our first goal and then settled down.

“The boys ran their socks off and when you work hard you get the outcomes at the end of it.”

Low made his City debut as a late substitute in the

1-1 draw at Middlesbrough in November before earning his first start in the 3-1 Carabao Cup defeat against Lincoln following an impressive run of form captaining the Under-21 side. Like many of his team-mates, he endured a difficult came and was substituted at half-time. He has been enjoying his spell with Walsall following his January move featuring nine times in the league including scoring his first goal in a 1-1 draw with Leyton Orient.