ROBERTS ON MAKING HISTORY WITH WALES

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Claret Connor Roberts talks what it means to represent his country at the World Cup in Qatar

2022-11-20T10:00:00.000Z

ROBERTS ON MAKING HISTORY WITH WALES

Claret Connor Roberts talks what it means to represent his country at the World Cup in Qatar

2022-11-20T10:00:00.000Z

Claret Connor Roberts talks what it means to represent his country at the World Cup in Qatar

Connor Roberts has been named in Robert Page's 26-man squad to represent Wales in the World Cup.

Ahead of joining his teammates in Qatar, the full-back sat down with the Club to talk about what it means for Wales to qualify for the tournament for the first time in 64 years, his family & friends reaction to the news and how he's looking forward to making lifelong memories playing for his country.

Roberts on finding out he had been called up:

“An incredibly proud moment for myself. It was Wednesday [9th November] a few hours before the squad got announced that I got a little text to say I’m definitely in it. I would have been a little bit shocked if I wasn’t to be fair but obviously every time, I do get called up to play for my country, it’s the best feeling in the world.

“To be able to hopefully do that on the biggest stage, for any country, let alone little old Wales, is something that I’m really looking forward to.”

Roberts on what it means to play in a World Cup:

“It means more than anything. I think it’s the pinnacle of football, especially for your country playing at a World Cup. So, if I was to ask the manager one thing it would be just play me for one minute, just to say that I played. I can tell my friends, my family, my daughter when she grows up, that I played at a World Cup.

“Whatever happens there I’ll give my best, if I get the chance to play and yeah have a good time.”

Roberts on his friends & family’s reaction:

“They were all massively proud of me, myself I didn’t think I would ever be in this position. I think I’ve got over 40 caps now for Wales and I never thought I’d ever get one. I’m not sure if they [my family] did too but they’ve seen the journey I’ve been on, the games I’ve played and the achievements that I’ve made. I’m sure that they’re all proud of me, I hope they are anyway. Qatar is another opportunity to hopefully make them proud.”

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Roberts on how historic it is for Wales to qualify:

“I think for any country getting to a World Cup is an achievement. Wales hadn’t done it for a very, very long time and before we did it [qualified], it was a will it ever happen, will it ever happen again.

“At this present time, we’ve got a lot of good players, a lot of good young players and if it didn’t happen this time, it might never, but luckily we’re here and to be in the squad that has made history really is something that can never be taken away from me no matter what happens.”

Roberts on his World Cup memories:

“To be honest I wasn’t really massively into football when I was growing up! So, I think the first real World Cup I remember was Tshabalala, South Africa when he scored that goal and then I can’t really remember any of the other games, just that goal to be honest.

“Since then, I’ve watched every single one, when they’ve been in the summers and what not. It’s an unbelievable occasion, I think no matter what happens we could go there, we could lose every game and I would still come away with a smile on my face, knowing that I’ve represented my brilliant country on the biggest stage of all really.”

Roberts on what it’s like in the Wales camp:

“It’s incredible. It’s just a band of brothers’ kind of thing, a family, we’re all incredibly proud to be there, to wear the dragon on our chest. When we go away it’s just laughs and we’re there for each other. When we play, I think it shows in a lot of the games that we have played that we’re all in it forever. We might not have the best names kind of thing or the best team on paper but if we all try for each other, we all want to win for each other, then we can achieve things.

“Getting to a World Cup is the biggest achievement for a Welsh football team, in 64 years, so anything more is a bonus.”

Roberts on his Wales teammates:

“Well funny you ask to be fair. Tom Lockyer from Luton Town he actually got kind of recalled into this squad, so I’m delighted for him, and he’s missed the last few camps, five, six camps I think it is. It was touch and go whether he would be in it and obviously he was so he text me and I was kind of more happy for him than for myself to be honest! So yeah, he’ll be back and when David Brooks comes back eventually, it’s kind of us three, we’re good mates and we enjoy being around each other and doing whatever.”

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Roberts on his family’s support during the tournament:

“My mum and my dad are going out. My wife isn’t, she’s going on holiday. I told her I’d rather she go there, I’m not sure exactly what it’ll be like in Qatar, obviously there’s questions around all sorts. So, just my mum and my dad are going and yeah hopefully they get to see me play, get to see me on the pitch and are proud of me hopefully.”

Roberts on what the tournament means to the Welsh fans:

“It’s the biggest achievement for our little country just to even be there, so everyone who’s managed to get a ticket to pay probably a lot of money to be there is a moment and experience that I’m sure they’ll all cherish and enjoy. It might never happen again for a very long time so, everyone there is going to do what they do, Welsh fans they’re the best, they travel all over the country, all over the world to various countries supporting us.

“In the big games leading up to this World Cup, the ones that were really important, if you were lucky enough to be in those stadiums and hear the red wall then you will take a step back and realise how amazing they are to be honest.”

Roberts on 'Yma o Hyd' the official Wales World Cup song:

“It’s an old song, Dafydd Iwan’s recently had a resurgence because of the Welsh national team really. I think we started singing it, we play it in the dressing room and when we qualified it was sung by everyone in the stadium. It’s a, I don’t know the exact translation, but it’s along the lines of ‘we’re still here’. Obviously, a lot happened in the past and they tried to kind of get rid of Wales but we’re still here, we’re still fighting and the football team’s going to the World Cup.”

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