By Graham Thomas
Harry Wilson is filling the biggest boots in Welsh football – those once worn by Gareth Bale.
It’s a huge claim to make, but Wales manager Rob Page is better-placed than most to gauge the influence of Wilson on his team since Bale opted mainly for the footwear of the fairways.
The Wales making of Harry Wilson.
🏴 Emerging from the shadow of Gareth Bale.
⚽️ Two-goal show v Croatia came after summer talk with Rob Page.
🔝 Told ‘big player’ and no longer just squad member.
👀 Young 🏴 players told to learn by watching him warm up.https://t.co/50AO6MQLBz— Phil Blanche 🏴 (@philblanche) November 11, 2023
Bale twice scored against Croatia in tournament qualifiers, but not two in one game as Fulham star Wilson, 26, managed against them last month.
That 2-1 victory means if Wales win in Armenia next Saturday and then beat Turkey at home they will qualify for the finals of Euro 2024 – their fourth major tournament finals in five.
Page says: “Harry has been around for a long time.
“Because of the players we have had available to us before – in Gareth, Joe Allen and Jonny Williams – perhaps he looked at it, he was turning up and felt he was a squad player.
Harry Wilson emerges from the shadows in the post-Gareth Bale era to shine for Wales | @pjcadden https://t.co/BGWiFsZ8gmhttps://t.co/BGWiFsZ8gm
— The Sun Football ⚽ (@TheSunFootball) November 13, 2023
“We had a chat with him in the summer and said, ‘You are no longer that person or player. You are a big player for us.’”
“Look at what you are doing at club level.
“He has stepped up to the plate. I’m so pleased for him because he’s not just a good player, he’s an absolute diamond of a kid.”
It has taken Wilson a decade to step out of the shadow of Bale after making his international debut as a 16-year-old.
https:/twitter.com/FootballKentron/status/1723765060730831135?s=20
But Page insists it is more than just goals where the gaps are being filled.
“He’s the nicest fella you will ever meet off the pitch, he relaxes in his down time and his banter is great,” adds Page.
“But when he crosses that line, he’s a model example of what you would want a modern footballer to look like.
“I say to the kids – watch him. Everything he does to the nth degree.
“I’m really pleased for him. He has stepped up.”
If Wales gain revenge for their shock home defeat to the Armenians in June, they will set up a massive home clash against the Turks on November 21.
🏴 “As long as we keep those standards we’ve set in recent camps, the results will take care of themselves.”
Rob Page is ready for @Cymru's next tests in the journey to @EURO2024#TogetherStronger
— FA WALES (@FAWales) November 12, 2023