Reluctant Holland relishing leadership role

As she nears a half century of Wales caps Ceri Holland says she has only recently seen herself as one of the leaders within the squad.

Holland has been one of Wales' best players in the recent years, scoring vital goals on the international stage as well as being a consistent performer for her club Liverpool in the WSL.

Rhian Wilkinson picked Holland and Hayley Ladd as Wales vice-captains in October 2024 – and the backing of her international manager has helped Holland embrace her new responsibilities.

The Liverpool midfielder will win her 50th international cap if she features in Wales' friendlies against South Korea and Switzerland in southern Spain in the next week.

"It has kind of progressed quite quickly," says Holland who made her debut for Wales against Canada in April 2021.

"I've really, really enjoyed it. I think it's only been maybe the last year that I've really kind of felt like a leader in this team.

"I've always kind of thought I haven't got that much experience compared to a lot of the girls around me, so I kind of always took a step back," says Holland.

Legends depart

But the recent international retirements of Jess Fishlock and Kayleigh Barton has elevated Holland's standing in a squad which includes five uncapped players.

"I think I've tried to put myself forward and Rhian (Wilkinson) has really pushed me to do that, so that has been important to me," Holland says.

"I have thoroughly enjoyed my time so far and it is obviously the proudest moment every time I pull on the Welsh shirt, so I hope to obviously do it many more times."

West Ham United's Ffion Morgan could also win her 50th cap if she plays against South Korea and Switzerland and Holland thinks her team-mate has improved since moving to West Ham from Bristol City in the summer.

"She's fantastic. She brings a lot of personality, a lot of pace. She is absolutely rapid," says Holland.

"I was really impressed with Ffion in the last camp, I thought she's really improved and I think that move to West Ham has been really, really good for her.

"She's moved away from home, she's really put herself out there and that's what we need players to do.

"We need them to go and push themselves to the highest level and that's what she (Ffion) has done and I think you could see the benefits of it."

Wales are looking to end 2025 with a win to end what is currently an 11-game winless run.

Wales' next opponents South Korea (21st) and Switzerland (24th) are ranked higher than Wales who are 32nd in the official Fifa rankings.

Wilkinson's side face South Korea in Malaga on Friday, 28 November and Switzerland in Jerez on Tuesday, 2 December.