Ian Rush urges Ryan Giggs to consider teen starlet Neco Williams

January 15, 2020
Posted by Steven Tan | Source from WalesOnline
Liverpool legend Ian Rush is urging Ryan Giggs to consider Reds teen full-back Neco Williams for his Wales Euro 2020 squad.
 
The 18-year-old is already making waves after two cup appearances this season and is expected to continue in Jurgen Klopp's FA Cup team.
 
Klopp is a huge admirer of Williams' talent and Rush, Liverpool's record scorer, is also tipping the youngster from Wrexham for big things.
 
He feels Williams can even challenge for a place on the plane for Wales' crack at the Euros this summer.
 
Connor Roberts has firmly established himself as Wales' first-choice right-back under Giggs, with record cap holder Chris Gunter his deputy.
 
But in time the raw talent of Williams could eclipse the pair of them, with Gunter the player most under threat.
 
It seems unlikely Giggs will do away with the vast experience Gunter offers for the Euros, but Rush feels Williams is already challenging for a place on the plane.
 
"I think Ryan Giggs has got to look at him," Rush told the BBC . "He's a great player, getting better and it comes down to confidence. I'm sure that Jurgen Klopp has made him a very confident player.
 
"He's learning from some great players day in, day out so I think it's only a matter of time. If he's got anything about him, which he has, he'll be thinking, 'I want to get in the Euros'.
 
"You've got to aim for the top and these competitions don't happen every year.
 
"You've got to be given a chance and you've got to take the chance as well. I'd love to see him on that plane."
 
Gunter, handed his Wales debut by John Toshack 13 years ago, was always a shoo-in at right-back during the Chris Coleman era and has won 96 caps.
 
But Giggs revamped the Wales team, putting a greater emphasis upon youth, and quickly made Roberts his first-choice. The newcomer was an instant hit and, with Ben Davies on the left, Wales have a pair of brilliant modern-day full-backs who are as comfortable going forward as they are in defence.
 
Giggs has proven already with a glut of players that he is prepared to go with youth, giving the likes of Dan James, Chris Mepham, Joe Rodon and Harry Wilson, amongst others, their opportunity.
 
The Welsh boss is closely monitoring the progression of Williams as he ponders his options for the Euros.
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