Leeds United's Charlie Crew given hope of more opportunities after Wales debut amid Rob Page vow
Charlie Crew stepped off the bench to make his Wales debut on Thursday night
Wales manager Rob Page insists Thursday’s draw with Gibraltar won’t deter him from handing out more opportunities to youngsters such as Leeds United’s Charlie Crew in the future. Page’s Wales played out a 0-0 stalemate with the minnows on Thursday night after a turning in a collective performance that few fans will be keen to remember in a hurry.
Crew, though, will never forget the contest as he stepped off the bench at the Estadio Algarve to make both his international debut and his first appearance in senior football. The 17-year-old was a 78th minute substitute in the game as he replaced Charlie Savage late on.
The Leeds man got himself involved in the action, taking the ball on with confidence and racking up 13 successful passes as Wales tried to find a breakthrough against Gibraltar. Ultimately, the result, which ended with Wales players being booed off by supporters, has seen Page criticised heavily, with some calling for him to resign.
The manager accepts the criticism he has received on the back of the result, but he insists it won't prevent him from taking similar opportunities to blood youngsters and give international game time to the next generation of Wales players, with Crew being one of five - alongside Fin Stevens, Jay DaSilva, Lewis Koumas and Tom King - to make their debuts on Thursday.
"Of course, it's Gibraltar. But I want to put a bit of context on it. We've just missed out on the Euros and this is our first game after that," Page said. "The lads are on the back of three weeks off, so it was unrealistic to start with our strongest team for the two games.
"That's the reason we picked that team to play that game. We've exposed some of the younger lads and given them that reward, because they've been excellent as squad players. We've also introduced younger lads into the group. I'm still going to take these friendlies because we want to expose these younger players."
Crew will have the chance to build on his Wales bow this weekend when the national team travel to Slovakia. Page is expected to name a stronger line-up which could involve Leeds pair Dan James and Ethan Ampadu, but Crew will be with the group too, and he'll be keen to get another taste of senior match action.
Speaking after earning his first ever call up to the Wales squad, the midfielder said: "It was probably the best news I've had so far in my footballing career," Crew said when addressing his call-up to the national team. It's a massive achievement and a really proud moment for myself and my family.
"My family were very excited, especially my grandad, he's a massive Wales fan, so was over the moon."