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Page last updated at 08:51 GMT, Saturday, 14 November 2009

Williams focused on leading Wales

International friendly - Wales v Scotland
Venue: Cardiff City Stadium Date: Saturday, 14 November Kick-off: 1500 GMT Coverage: Full commentary on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio 5 live sports extra, Radio Cymru and online, live text commentary online and mobile phones, plus score updates on BBC Radio 5 live. Also live on Sky Sports 1.


Ashley Williams
Williams will win his 18th cap for Wales after making his debut in March 2008

Ashley Williams is unconcerned about the potentially frosty reception he may get as the Swansea City defender leads Wales against Scotland in Cardiff.

The newly-crowned Welsh Player of the Year believes supporters at the Cardiff City Stadium should forget about club rivalries and get behind Wales.

"This is a Wales game, it is not a Swansea or Cardiff game," he said.

"We are playing at Cardiff which I hope will become our 'home' ground in the future."

The animosity between Cardiff and Swansea fans is a constant element in south Wales football - but it is Swans supporters who are revelling after last weekend's 3-2 derby win at the Liberty Stadium.

The 25-year-old's superb performance helped inspire the Swans to take the bragging rights.

But Williams' critical comments of the Bluebirds' long-ball tactics and reliance on set pieces afterwards could provoke a reaction from Cardiff fans at the Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday.

"I have not even thought about the fact that I'm a Swansea player captaining Wales in Cardiff," he said.

"It is not an issue, we are all playing for Wales, that is all that matters.

"Whoever the captain is should not be an issue really. I know I was born in England, but my mum and her family are all Welsh and I feel Welsh.

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"I am living in Wales now and that gives you the chance to really get a feel for it and understand what the fans want.

"I am learning the anthem and trying to sing it every time, I hope that shows my commitment and how seriously I am taking all this.

"This will be the biggest game of my career so far, even if it only a friendly. It is against a home nation and that makes it special."

Williams has described this week as the "best week of his footballing life" as after his derby success, he received the double honour of Welsh Player and Club Player of the Year at the Football Association of Wales awards dinner on Wednesday.

Then it was confirmed he would lead Wales for the first time at the first international game to be played at Cardiff City's new home.

And Williams has been backed by Wales manager John Toshack, who began his playing career at Cardiff and ended it at Swansea.

"It doesn't matter whether we were playing in Swansea, Glasgow or anywhere, at this moment I believe Ashley is the man to be captain," said former Swans player/manager Toshack.

"Ashley is the right choice, and it is nothing to do with where we are playing. It is something I have not even thought about.

"We have had to select a third captain in three games because of injuries, and the form he is in makes it the right decision.

"He is on top of his game, he has had a good week. He won the derby against Cardiff, he picked up our footballer of the year award in midweek and now he has got the captaincy of Wales.

"It's a bit late to change the venue now because there's a Swansea man I want as skipper."


Wales squad to face Scotland:
Goalkeepers: Jason Brown (Blackburn Rovers), David Cornell (Swansea City), Wayne Hennessey (Wolverhampton Wanderers)
Defenders: Gareth Bale (Tottenham Hotspur), Danny Gabbidon (West Ham United), Craig Morgan (Peterborough United), Lewin Nyatanga (Bristol City), Sam Ricketts (Bolton Wanderers), Ashley Williams (Swansea City), Adam Matthews (Cardiff City)
Midfielders: David Cotterill (Sheffield United), David Edwards (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Andy King (Leicester City), Joe Ledley (Cardiff City), Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal), Joe Allen (Swansea City), Andy Dorman (St Mirren)
Strikers: Rob Earnshaw (Nottingham Forest) Simon Church (Reading), Ched Evans (Sheffield United), Jermaine Easter (MK Dons), Sam Vokes (Wolverhampton Wanderers)



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see also
Burley targets Scots winning run
14 Nov 09 |  Internationals
Scots remember Stein in Cardiff
13 Nov 09 |  Internationals
Wales 3-0 Scotland
14 Nov 09 |  Internationals
Williams takes top Welsh awards
11 Nov 09 |  Welsh
Easter urges Wales to look ahead
12 Nov 09 |  Internationals
Matthews relishing Wales chance
11 Nov 09 |  Welsh
Blake backs Wales fringe players
10 Nov 09 |  Internationals
Burley reeling after Scots loss
14 Nov 09 |  Internationals
Wales to face Scotland in Cardiff
07 Oct 09 |  Internationals
Pick your Wales XI
05 Feb 07 |  Internationals
Wales' results archive
10 Oct 05 |  Internationals


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