Connor Roberts cannot wait for the opportunity to represent his country again in the World Cup Play Off Final. Ukraine or Scotland await Wales, they play off against each other on Wednesday 1st June. The winner then play Wales in Cardiff.
Looking forward to the game Roberts said "I am just a young lad from a place called Crynant and to have made it this far is kind of incredible to be honest. I never thought I'd ever get this far when I was a kid. I just wanted to play one game for Swansea, it is obvious I have played a lot of times for Wales as well now. I never thought I'd ever achieve what I have but hopefully there are a few more caps and a few more good moments between now and the end. We've got a lot of unbelievable players. And I think Pagey, Gaffer, whatever you want to call him, has come in and steadied the ship - he's made us believe that we are really good and we are a team that can fight for big performances and big results and ever since he's come in, we've done that. Obviously the Euros was a big highlight but June 5th is the biggest game, probably, I'll ever play in and I'm looking forward to it."
Connor seems excited doesn’t he ? And why not he’s a proud Welshman and like numerous players in the squad holds these games very close to his heart, we have seen that with Gareth Bale in recent years. : "He's the greatest Welsh sportsman ever and it would take a lot to beat him” said Roberts. "I think taking his country to a World Cup, obviously along with the rest of the lads, is going to be something a lot of players who play for Wales might never achieve and haven't achieved up until now. So to be part of the group that eventually, hopefully, do it is going to be something special and it'd be bitterly disappointing if we don't - but we can give absolutely everything like we always do."
His club colleague Wayne Hennessy is another almost certain of selection for this game. "We always joke, like we can't wait to go back there and go back to God's country and enjoy ourselves, and we'll be doing the same at the end of this month."
Roberts really does sum up his team mates mentality as players in the red shirt of Wales. "It's just a group of lads who are enjoying their football, the results and the things we've achieved go towards that," Roberts said. "But as individuals we all want to get as many caps as we can, score goals, enjoy ourselves, play in big games, and I think that just drives us on to have a good time... because when you are enjoying and you want to be there, that's when you do succeed. I don't get nervous for any old games but even just talking about that and imagining what it's going to be like, a full stadium singing, fans, playing with Gareth Bale and the rest of the lads, it's going to be incredible and I just hope that we can do it," Roberts added. Not just me, but the team and everyone in Wales will be cheering us on and hopefully celebrating like mad after it."
If Wales are to overcome the underdogs tag again and succeed on June 5th in a game which has sold out weeks ago then Connor Roberts will be crucial to that happening.
Wales play at home to either Ukraine or Scotland on Sunday 5th June with a 5pm kick off.