John Toshack says Wales' best years still to come

Wales have ended a 58-year wait to reach a major tournament by qualifying fro Euro 2016

Former Wales manager John Toshack believes Chris Coleman's side can go on to achieve even greater success.

Coleman has said the current players can rightly be called "the golden generation" for ending Wales' 58-year wait to qualify for a major tournament.

But Toshack says this could be the beginning of a period of sustained progression for Wales.

"When you look at the age of this side, they've still got their best years to come," said Toshack.

"There's a World Cup in three years' time and then another European Championship two years after that.

"This is a group of players that could bring us some really interesting days.

"It'll be crucial for the key players to steer clear of injury and, of course, Aaron Ramsey and Gareth Bale are fundamental to any success that we can hope for."

Toshack's six-year tenure in charge from 2004 to 2010 offered few highlights, but the 66-year-old has been credited for playing a key role in the current success.

A number of senior players retired during Toshack's time in charge, which gave him little option but to blood a number of youngsters.

He made Bale the youngest Wales international by selecting him for a friendly against Trinidad and Tobago in 2006 at the age of 16.

Ramsey, Joe Allen and Joe Ledley are among a number of others also given their debuts by Toshack.

Gareth Bale won his first Wales cap under John Toshack aged 16 after playing only 180 minutes of first-team football

The former Liverpool, Swansea and Cardiff striker says it was mostly through necessity rather than design and credits former Wales Under-21 manager Brian Flynn for unearthing and nurturing many of the current senior squad

"He put the miles in and if you ask the players deep down, they'll tell you that they are very grateful to Brian for the work he did when they were at such a tender age," said Toshack, now manager at Moroccan club Wydad Casablanca.

Toshcak's only concern for the current team is the lack of a natural goalscorer.

Goals have been in short supply during the Euro 2016 qualifying campaign, with Bale supplying six of the nine strikes.

"Not having that type of natural finisher, Coleman has set up his team very well and played to a system that makes them very difficult to beat," Toshack added.

"They've scored nine goals in nine matches and you wouldn't expect a team to qualify with a scoring record like that, but the number of goals they've conceded shows they are very well organised."