Wales head coach Rob Page responded emotionally to reports of Roy Keane being a target replacement for him last month. By all accounts the FAW considered Roy Keane after the home defeat to Armenia.

Football Association of Wales CEO Noel Mooney by all accounts has canvassed the committee at the FAW regards Roy Keane and has made it known outright qualification for Wales for Germany 2024 could see changes. Rob Page responded this afternoon to the rumours by saying. "I have not spoken to the chief executive so it is speculation. I have not spoken to him at all about it, so I could not tell you whether it is true or not. All I have to focus on is before the World Cup I signed a four-year deal and the long-term plan for me is to start introducing young players into the group”

Choking back his emotions Page continued. “We are in a transition period and we have said this time and time again. We are losing big players like Joe Allen and Gareth Bale. Not just for what they bring us on the pitch, but also the value they add in the changing room. We've seen the talent we've got coming through. We're developing these young players and it's going to take time. I get the frustration. We want to win games of football, but there's got to be a bit of perspective. I'm doing what's best for the FAW, not myself."

On the game Page made it clear just how hard this game would be. “They’ve got strength in depth, its not all about Modric. We know we’re in for a tough, tough test on Sunday. It’s massive for us to be in Cardiff for the first of these remaining three games. The atmosphere we create there is incredible. We’re off the back of a very positive camp against Korea and Latvia, we had a positive performance against Gibraltar. The mood in the camp is great and I cant wait for the game on Sunday evening”

Ben Davies confirmed the players support for Page as well. “I’m always proud to wear the armband for Wales,” said Davies. “But we have to be fully in control of our emotions. We knew what we were coming into before this camp. We were targeting three wins so not a lot has changed, starting with a tough one against Croatia tomorrow. They’re a world-class team, they’ve shown that for a long time now, but we have to believe we can get a result, and we’ve been working all week towards that. We’re very supportive of the manager and we’re a very tight-knit group, and that’s why we’ve had the success that we’ve had. That’s why we’re all behind him. We stick together in the good times and the tough times. The manager creates a good, professional and enjoyable environment, we’ve got a manager who backs us and deserves our support now. We just need to concentrate on a big game tomorrow.”

Wales v Croatia kicks off at 7.45pm tomorrow night in Cardiff, the game has sold out.

Check out our other Wales features by clicking the links below.

Page at his own personal crossroads

Wales must win

Wales forum

Photograph licensed from Reuters & Open Source

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