Rush: Now Wales is on World map
IAN RUSH believes that reaching their first World Cup finals since 1958 has at last placed Wales on the international map.
It means that the Welsh striking legend won’t any longer have the embarrassment of explaining that his country isn’t part of England.
That will definitely be cleared up when England and Wales meet in Qatar in a Group B qualifying game on November 29.
Rush who was in Cardiff last Sunday to witness the ending of 64 years of World Cup hurt also praised the work of former Wales manager Gary Speed and Crystal Palace No.2 Osian Roberts, in his previous roles as the Dragons’ technical director and assistant manager.
Rush explained: “I have travelled to the Middle East over the past 10 years and I have often been asked if Wales is in England.
“No one is disrespectful, but emphasizing to the world that
Wales is a country in its own right is one reason why getting to the
World Cup finals is so important.
“When I travel to the region or beyond I am more famous than Wales and now my hope is that Wales will be more famous than me.
“Qualifying is also tremendous for the Welsh economy. We all saw the effect Euro 2016 had on the nation.”
When Speed took charge of
Wales 12 years ago they had a FIFA ranking of 117, below the likes of Guyana and Haiti.
Rush added: “The credit for change goes to many people including Osian Roberts, Gus Williams, who is the talent manager, and the late Gary Speed who took us up a level.”
Rush (right)is just pleased he will, in his lifetime, now see Wales in the World Cup finals. Back in 1993 as part of Terry Yorath’s side which included the likes of Neville Southall, Kevin Ratcliffe and Ryan Giggs he was just a missed Paul Bodin penalty from qualifying for USA 1994.
He said: “I never thought I’d get the chance to see Wales play in the finals.”