OWAIN Fon Williams is hoping his move to Inverness Caledonian Thistle will help him win a place alongside Gareth Bale in the Welsh side for the Euro 2016 finals in France.
Williams, who was released by Tranmere Rovers in the summer after the Prenton Park club was relegated from the Football League, made his debut for the Highland club on Thursday night.
He played as Inverness lost 1-0 to Astra Giurgiu of Romania on their European debut in the first leg of a Europa League second qualifying round tie at the Caledonian Stadium.
The 28-year-old has been involved with his national squad on several occasions in the past , including in a qualifier against Belgium this year, without ever being capped.
Yet, Williams is optimistic his involvement with John Hughes’s side will enable him to force his way into Chris Coleman’s plans in the coming months.
Wales are currently on top of Group B after winning four and drawing two of their six qualifiers and have an excellent chance to make the finals of a major tournament for the first time since the World Cup in 1958.
Asked if his move could help him retain his place in the national squad and force his way into the starting line-up, he said: “One hundred per cent. That’s why I’m here.
“I’m here to improve myself, the team, everyone around me. As I say, this football club’s on the up. It’s a fantastic place to be, a fantastic place to be working day in, day out.
“Obviously the bonus is if I am selected for Wales. I thrive on that. Wales are doing so well at the minute. Fingers crossed, a few more wins and we’ll be in France come next summer.
“Who knows what will happen if I play regularly? The only thing is I do my thing here, work hard every single day and improve the team here. Who knows what will come from that."
Williams compared the atmosphere at Inverness, who finished third in the Ladbrokes Championship last season and won the Scottish Cup, to that in the Wales squad at the moment.
“Gareth Bale’s a ridiculous individual to be honest with you,” he said. “He’s on a different planet when it comes to what he can do with a football. But I think it’s a team thing with Wales.
“There’s a fantastic football team here. I definitely think it’s quite similar to what Wales have got at the minute.
“When I was going with my national team there was great organisation, banter and togetherness. Everyone was included with the lads. The staff all got involved.
“I have come here and it’s the same. When I walked through that dressing room door it was exactly the same.”
Williams and his new team mates face an uphill task progressing to the next round of the Europa League after slumping to a narrow home defeat to Astra on Thursday night.
The Inverness keeper was unable to keep out a free-kick by Constantin Budescu, the visiting captain and attacking midfielder, in the 24th minute.
But Caledonian Thistle pushed hard for an equaliser in the second half and are hopeful they can get an away goal in Romania and haul their way back into the tournament.
“The boys here have earned the opportunity to go and play in this fantastic cup so that’s what we’ll do,” said Williams. “We’ll go out there and enjoy it and hopefully you never know what will happen.
“The game is never over. We’re still in it, we still need to go there and do our thing and hopefully come away with something.
“This football team is on the up, there are no two ways about that. They finished third last season, won the cup and got into the Europa. It is a fantastic time to be involved with such a great football club.”
Hughes sprang a surprise by selecting Williams, who trained with Inverness for the first time on Monday, ahead of the experienced Ryan Esson against Astra.
The keeper’s positioning at the goal left something to be desired, but he is hopeful he can establish himself in the Inverness side and justify his signing.
He said: “I came here to play football. Whether there was a game straight away or not so be it, I’m ready for it.
“I need games. I need as many games as possible. I am here to work hard, I’m here to improve the team, I’m here to improve myself. It’s just great to be a part of this football club.”
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