9 months ago
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CONNOR ROBERTS has told his Wales team-mates: Become a national hero like Gareth Bale and take us to Germany this summer.
Robert Page’s Dragons are just one win away from Euro 2024 ahead of Tuesday’s play-off final with Poland in Cardiff.
Gareth Bale scored the winner against Ukraine to send Wales to the 2022 World CupGetty
GettyRetired Bale led Wales to the last two Euros and the 2022 World Cup.
That included play-off winning goals against Austria and Ukraine two years ago.
Now the spotlight is on the attacking firepower of Brennan Johnson, Kieffer Moore, Dan James, Harry Wilson, David Brooks and Nathan Broadhead to deliver a fourth major tournament qualification in just eight years.
Roberts said: “We’ve got talent all over the pitch. Kieffer is different to Brennan and DJ, Harry and Brooksy.
“They are all brilliant players and I’m just hoping one of them is our Gaz, our hero like he was against Austria and Ukraine a few years ago.
“I’m not sure we relied on Gaz but he saved us a number of times.
“Hopefully one of them is our hero again on Tuesday night and we can all start smiling and celebrating together.”
Wales, who hammered Finland 4-1 in Thursday’s semi, have the experience of crunch ties in Cardiff.
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The Dragons overcame Hungary in November 2019 to reach the delayed Euro 2020 thanks to an Aaron Ramsey double.
Then the Welsh roared once more at the Cardiff City Stadium when Real Madrid superstar Bale came up trumps with two superb strikes to sink Austria in March 2022.
Three months later, ex-captain Bale delivered the greatest result in Wales’ history.
Bale led his country to the World Cup for the first time since 1958 with a free-kick to leave war-torn Ukraine heartbroken.
Now Leeds full-back Roberts, 28, wants to make more qualification memories against the Poles, who beat Estonia 5-1 to book a final spot and have lethal goalscorer Robert Lewandowski in their ranks.
Roberts, who will win his 55th cap, added: “For Wales I’ve been lucky enough to be a part of big games – Hungary a few years ago, Ukraine.
“It’s another one on Tuesday night. Life, football is about moments and Tuesday is another moment, a chance to achieve something, to make memories.
“That’s what we’ll be trying to do as a team.
“We’ve experienced big nights in Cardiff, tournaments, I’ve had brilliant moments at the Euros, scoring goals, playing at the World Cup but I want more.
“A lot of us get greedy. We want to be better. We have to win on Tuesday and give everything to make people proud.
“We’re not the biggest footballing nation, we’re not the best players in the world. But we all want to be there.
“If we can look back and say it’s another qualification for another major tournament – the third one for most of us and even more for others – then we will be very proud when our football is finished.
“It’s a massive chance to create more amazing moments and special memories.”
Roberts was one of a number of Wales players who moved in January to keep his Euro dreams alive.
The defender left Vincent Kompany’s Burnley in the Premier League on loan to Championship table-toppers Leeds.
He has made nine appearances for Daniel Farke’s men in all competitions and even scored a vital goal in the 3-1 comeback win over promotion rivals Leicester at Elland Road.
Roberts said: “It was strange for me because I was hoping this season would be good in the Premier League after last season and I made the decision to go somewhere where I’d get more minutes.
“I’ve gone there and I’ve not played every single game but, on that side of things, I need to go in there and use my experience and hopefully get promoted again with Leeds.
“I don’t need to play loads of games to be ready and stay fit.
“It comes naturally to me but to go there and get a bit more game time than I was getting at Burnley is good.”
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