Ramsey backs Wales’ new generation to finish job

“Get the beers in,” was the shout from a Wales player on the charter flight returning from Azerbaijan after Gareth Bale delivered the news the whole cabin had been praying for – a Croatia victory over Slovakia.

Wales had done their part with a 2-0 win in Baku, but their Euro 2020 hopes still hinged on the result in Rijeka.

The talismanic Wales leader had taken on the role of delivering key updates as subdued staff and players prayed for a favour from the 2018 World Cup finalists, who had conceded an early goal. But there was cause for celebration as Croatia fought back to qualify automatically with a 3-1 victory and set up an all-or-nothing decider for Wales against Hungary tomorrow night.

Ryan Giggs, the Wales manager, has a golden opportunity to take his talented new generation to a major tournament alongside some of those who united a nation by reaching the Euro 2016 semi-finals.

“It would mean everything again,” said Aaron Ramsey, who returned to the Wales side after a 12-month absence. “We missed out on the World Cup, which was very disappointing. We had the best time ever at the Euros and we want to experience something like that again. We have new faces that haven’t experienced that so for them it would be massive. It’s good to be back. It’s a massive win for us to keep the dream alive.”

It will be knockout football in Cardiff tomorrow and Giggs has to decide who drops out of his starting XI to accommodate the fit-again Ramsey. Bristol City youngster Joe Morrell was the heartbeat of a mature display in Baku on Saturday, while Harry Wilson scored a goal and provided another operating in the No10 role.

Neither knows the pain Ramsey endured when their last qualification campaign, for the 2018 World Cup, ended in disappointment after a decisive final game against Ireland.

But the Juventus midfielder believes this new generation will not waste their chance to return to the top table of European football.

“It will be a similar position, but we have come on a lot since then,” he said. “We did the hardest part tonight. To come away to a place like this is always difficult and tricky. Croatia came here and drew.”

Kieffer Moore was scrapping in the lower leagues while Wales were on their Euro 2016 journey, but his physical presence and aerial ability is a throwback to Chris Coleman’s Wales reign. His opening goal in Baku has put Wales on the brink of qualification. “There is everything on the line. It will rank the biggest game of my career,” he said. “We have done our job and now it is all preparation and recovery for a massive game. If I get to play I will give it my all when I step over the line and hopefully Tuesday is going to be successful and we qualify.” Azerbaijan

Booked Wales

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