Ramsey not sheepish at being made Wales captain
Published 23:01 25/03/11 By James Nursey
New Wales skipper Aaron Ramsey will lead his nation out today to face England after an inspirational pep talk from Ryan Giggs.
Manchester United and Wales legend Giggs, 37, quit the international game in May 2007 after 64 caps.
And with Giggs' successor as Wales' captain Craig Bellamy also hanging up the armband, Arsenal starlet Ramsey has got the honour.
Midfielder Ramsey, 20, was picked by new manager Gary Speed ahead of defenders James Collins and Ashley Williams.
And Giggs was among the first people to congratulate Ramsey on a special morale-boosting visit to Wales' training HQ on Thursday.
Ramsey revealed: "Ryan wished me all the best and told me to take it in my stride.
"He told me to enjoy the occasion and enjoy being captain of my country.
"It gives everyone a lift when you see a player who has done so much in the game.
"It is incredible what he has done so when he came down and watched us it gave us all an extra lift."
But Ramsey's appointment has not been met with the universal approval of everyone like former Wales and Everton captain Kevin Ratcliffe.
Ex-defender Ratcliffe, who won 59 caps for Wales between 1981-1993, expected a more experienced player to get the job.
Ratcliffe said: "I would have thought there were better options within the squad, someone like Ashley Williams or James Collins.
"For me at the moment he is very immature I think to be a captain."
But Ramsey disagrees after showing character to overcome a horrific broken leg in a challenge with Stoke's Ryan Shawcross last February.
He said: "I have made over 50 appearances for one of the biggest clubs in the world and played at a high level.
"I am not a screamer and a shouter and am not going to change the way I play.
"Some people are going to disagree with it but me and Gary Speed think it was the right decision.
"I always wanted to become captain of Wales one day - it is a great honour.
"I snapped his hand off - I don't know who wouldn't.
"It just shows the highs and lows of football and how quickly things can turn around.
"I broke my leg about a year ago and it was a low occasion for me.
"I have been through a lot in the past year and had to be strong mentally. I have grown up."
Now Ramsey is dreaming of a fairytale beginning to his captaincy with victory over arch-rivals England today.
He added: "It would be a perfect way to start being captain."
Martin Lipton's Wales v England and Euro qualifiers preview and predictions
