The Liverpool goalkeeper started Wales win over Slovakia at Euro 2016.
Slovakia’s Adam Nemec looks dejected as Wales’ James Chester and Danny Ward (L) look on
Quoted by the Liverpool Echo, Liverpool goalkeeper Danny Ward says he was ready to make his debut for Wales at the European Championships.
Wales boss Chris Coleman handed the goalkeeper a start on Saturday for their Group B opener against Slovakia.
His call up call up came after regular number one Wayne Hennessey picked up a back injury in training before the game.
Wales’ Wayne Hennessey during training
After a nervous star, the 22-year-old soon settled and put in a solid display, made all the more impressive by the fact he has made just played just two senior matches for the Reds to date.
He will have headed to France expecting to be starting on the bench, but insists he was in game mode and prepared for the game anyway.
“I knew he [Hennessey] was struggling with his injury, but that’s what we’re trained to do,” he told the Liverpool Echo.
“You’ve got to make sure you prepare right and you’re ready when the chance comes. It was a very proud moment but straight away you switch into game mode.”
Slovakia’s Juraj Kucka and Michal Duris shoot at goal as Wales’ Danny Ward looks on
It will now be interesting to see if Ward is handed the number one spot for the rest of the tournament also.
There are clearly doubts about Hennessey’s fitness, and Wales cannot risk ruining a good start by using him when half fit. Should he not prove his full fitness, then Ward’s display will not have gone a long way to convincing his manager that he can be relied upon.
Wales head coach Chris Coleman
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