Jones keen on Celtic tournament

Joey Jones feels the "Celtic Cup" is a good idea

Former Wales and Liverpool defender Joey Jones says that the new "Celtic Cup" tournament will boost Wales' chances of World Cup qualification.

Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland have agreed "in principle" to play a series of three biennial "Celtic Cup" tournaments.

And Jones believes that this will be of benefit to Toshack's young side.

"There are young players who need international experience, and they will get this opportunity now," said Jones.

My highlight was beating England, that is something that will stay with me forever Joey Jones

"It'll help John Toshack's preparations for World Cup qualification and I think it is a really good thing for the game here," added Jones.

An agreement signed on Monday commits the countries to arranging the tournaments on a league basis.

Home and away games will be rotated from one tournament to the next with each team playing three matches in each of the competitions.

Jones was capped 72-times for Wales and has fond memories of playing in home international tournaments in the seventies and eighties.

He said: "I recall as a player you always enjoyed playing in home internationals.

"I think the nations will relish the prospect of playing football against each other.

"Those games were really enjoyable matches to be involved in. I used to look forward to them and my highlight was beating England. That is something that will stay with me forever."

It had been widely assumed that England would not participate, with the Football Association looking to generate greater income from summer tours and lucrative friendlies.

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But England have not ruled themselves out of the competition.

And Jones believes that England would be making a mistake if they didn't participate in the tournament.

"It is up to England, they have some tremendous players and it would be nice to have them in it," he said.

"But if they don't want to get involved, then that is their loss."