Aaron Ramsey After being appointed captain ten years after the “pain” of losing the captaincy, he focused on joining Wales’ 100-man club.
Before the Euro 2024 qualifiers, Ramsey was given an armband. Croatia and Latvia, instead Gareth Bale He retired from football in January, having won a record 111 appearances for the Wales men’s team.
The 32-year-old has made 78 appearances and Page says the joining of Ramsey’s longtime teammates Bale, Chris Gunter and Wayne Hennessey as Wales centurions is a motivation for the Nice midfielder to extend his international career.
“I think that could be a motivation for any player, you want a milestone like playing 100 games,” said Page, after identifying a 24-man squad and a Tottenham defender. Ben Davies as assistant captain in this month’s qualifiers.
“But for me, I need to take the emotions out of him. I have a world class football player and will use him while I have it.
“Can he play two games in a week at the highest level? Probably not, we’ll have to deal with that.”
Appointed at the age of 20 by the late Gary Speed in March 2011, Ramsey was previously captain of Wales.
Speed’s successor Chris Coleman In October 2012, he gave the armband to Ashley Williams so that Ramsey could focus on his football.
Page said: “Aaron was the vice-captain behind Gareth, and giving him the armband is a natural progression.
“He has had much more experience than the previous time. That was also part of my reasoning.
“It would hurt him a little bit to take the armband and take it off you.
“He’s in the right time of his career right now to represent Wales and lead the boys.
“He can show players what it means to represent your country. He enjoys it and embraces every minute of it.
“He’s very happy and that’s why I know he’s going to take the field and he’s definitely going to deliver.”
Besides the record-breaking departure of Bale – Page has previously confirmed he is not involved in any consulting duties after suggesting he may have – Gunter, Joe Allen and Jonny Williams have also retired from the international arena since Wales’ disappointing World Cup campaign. .
Page selected four non-playing players in his squad for his trip to World Cup semi-finalists Croatia on 25 March, and for his home game against Latvia in Cardiff three days later.
The midfield trio included Jordan James, Luke Harris and Ollie Cooper, and forward Nathan Broadhead.
Millwall striker Tom Bradshaw is back five years after making his final appearance in the China Cup after a scoring spree that saw him named player of the month in the EFL Sky Bet Championship for February.
In-form Nottingham Forest forward Brennan Johnson stands out despite getting a groin strain at Tottenham on Saturday.
Page is confident that Johnson will be ready for his first game against Croatia: “Our medical president is in contact with Forest and there is a plan for him.
“The accumulation of minutes he had to play in a tough and demanding league is probably due to some fatigue. But we’re going to be sensible and make sure he’s in the right place for game day.”