‘Good thing is’: Int’l boss shares ‘encouraging’ message from Rangers star

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Wales boss Robert Page claims Aaron Ramsey is ‘raring to go’, despite his lack of games at Rangers, after including the midfielder in his squad to face Austria in a World Cup play-off.

The Dragons host Austria in Cardiff next Thursday in their play-off semi-final as they vie for a place in the Qatar tournament. Ramsey helped Wales book a place in the knockout clash last November after finishing second in Group E, in search of a first World Cup since 1958.

Ramsey featured in half of his nation’s qualifying matches after missing their opening four through injury. But the 31-year-old made his presence pay in their October and November games with three goals and an assist. It took him to 20 goals and eight assists in 71-caps.

Rangers have seldom seen Ramsey’s creative spark since Giovanni van Bronckhorst signed the Wales maestro on loan from Juventus. He has so far featured in just five of a potential 12 fixtures across all competitions. He has also only started twice, both in the Scottish Cup.

Van Bronckhorst has not fielded Ramsey at all in a Premiership fixture since February 9, as well. The three-time FA Cup winner with Arsenal missed three games after he sustained a knock in training in February. But he returned as an unused substitute against Aberdeen.

Wales boss Robert Page claims Aaron Ramsey ‘raring to go’ despite Rangers plight

Yet despite his lack of minutes for Rangers, Page believes Ramsey is fit and ready to go for Wales next week. The Dragons boss also spoke with the Caerphilly-born playmaker as well as Gareth Bale to discuss their possible involvement before naming his side to face Austria.

“They’re big players for us, of course they are,” Page said, via BBC Sport. “We want them playing games coming into camp, but the good thing is they’re fit. I’ve spoken to many of the players and those two, in particular, and they’re both raring to go.

“They both can’t wait to get into camp. So, that’s really encouraging for a manager to hear. They’ve done it time and time again, haven’t they?

“I don’t think we’ve ever had a camp where we’ve had all our players playing the weekend before. But big players turn up for big games, and they’ve proven that over time. The other way of looking at it is they’ll be fresh and raring to go.”