Still 'a lot' to come from captain Ramsey, says Bellamy

Aaron Ramsey has played in all three of Cardiff City's Championship matches this season

New Wales head coach Craig Bellamy believes there is still "a lot" to come from captain Aaron Ramsey.

Ramsey, 33, has had to overcome numerous setbacks over the course of his illustrious career, with injuries limiting him to only 15 appearances for Wales and Cardiff City last season.

But after confirming the ex-Arsenal midfielder will continue as Wales skipper, Bellamy is tipping his former team-mate to play an influential role.

"We're talking about one of the best players to ever play for Wales," said Bellamy.

"We're talking about a player who's represented Arsenal and won cups, he's been at Juventus and Nice.

"I'm aware of what he's doing and his training programmes. We've had conversations about the role I see him playing, and what I expect from him.

"Hopefully when you speak to him he's quite excited about that, I don't know yet. I see a lot of football still to come from him."

Ramsey has established himself as a Welsh football great, having scored 21 goals in 84 appearances and played a pivotal role in the recent golden era, helping Wales qualify for two European Championships and a World Cup.

He was one of the senior players to advocate Bellamy for the Wales head coach role following the dismissal of his predecessor Rob Page, and has subsequently spoken of his excitement to work with the former Burnley and Anderlecht assistant coach.

Bellamy, who played with Ramsey for both Cardiff and Wales, was hired on a four-year contract in July and named his squad on Wednesday for his first two matches, next month's Nations League meetings with Turkey and Montenegro.

The former Manchester City and Liverpool forward confirmed Ramsey would remain captain, having passed the role on to him during his playing career.

Bellamy skippered Wales between 2007 and 2010, when he was succeeded by a then-20-year-old Ramsey.

Ashley Williams and Gareth Bale then wore the armband before Ramsey was given the role again following Bale's retirement in January 2023.

"What he brings into the squad with young players – they're aspiring to be that. He can help them with that," Bellamy said of Ramsey.

"If you watch him, watch his attitude, watch the little details he does, that's what's allowed him to play at a top level for so long. That'll benefit any young players, especially someone like a [Lewis] Koumas at the moment.

"He's great to have around. There's still football in him and I believe the way I look to play will help him as well. He will enjoy."