Collison: Wales can reach the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup

Former Wales midfielder, Jack Collison, believes The Dragons can repeat their Euro 2016 semi-final success at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

Speaking exclusively to SHOOT; the 15-capped midfielder, who unfortunately had to retire from professional football back in February due to persistent injuries, was proud to see his country reach the last-four at this year’s finals in France.

The 28-year-old said, “I watched every game very closely and they were incredible.

“It was great to see the journey, and I was very fortunate that I was part of that journey early on when a lot of these boys were in the Under-21s. A lot of us made our debuts in the senior team at the same time.

Photo: Dan Church / SHOOT.

“It was great to see them come through the struggles of being regularly beat, and beat badly. Now they have turned a corner and put in some real good performances on the big stage.

“Especially the Belgium game in the quarter-finals, it was just such an incredible game, a near on perfect performance.”

After being asked how much further the Wales squad can develop under manager Chris Coleman, whose contract as national team coach has been extended until after the 2018 World Cup, Collison answered, “There is no doubt to how far they can go.

“They have got a tough qualifying group for the World Cup, so they need to try and qualify for that first and foremost.

“Then; when they arrive at the big tournament, they will have so many good memories from the Euros, I’m sure they will be looking to perform just as well.”