Ramsey to help revitalise Welsh challenge by leading from front

The 20-year-old Arsenal midfielder has been handed the role despite having won just 11 caps, with manager Gary Speed hopeful the youngster is the man to revitalise what has been a woeful Group G campaign.

Ramsey said he was delighted to take the role, and hopes to show his team-mates the way against their old enemy.

Ramsey is also expecting previous captains Craig Bellamy and James Collins to give him their full support, although he admits he may be wary of giving the former any on-field criticism.

“There is a lot of experience throughout the team. There is Craig Bellamy who has captained the side before, James Collins has had lots of experience and I am sure they won’t need telling what to do, but I hope to lead by example and help in that way.

“Me and Craig get on well and we talk often, so if he needs shouting at I won’t be the one doing it! But I hope we won’t have to be doing that.”

The honour of captaining his country comes just over a year after Ramsey suffered an horrific double leg fracture against Stoke last February, and he said: “It just shows the highs and lows of football, how things can turn around.

“I broke my leg a year ago and it was a really low occasion and this is now the best moment in my career and it’s amazing how quickly things can turn around.”

Despite Wales losing their first three Euro 2012 qualifiers, Ramsey is bullish over their chances of upsetting Fabio Capello’s men.

“We know what we are capable of doing as a side and we are going to go into the game thinking we can do something and get a positive result. Everyone knows their roles so there will not be much said before we go out on the pitch. We want to go out there and enjoy the occasion.”

Ramsey has played down concerns that he is too young to be given the captain’s armband.

“I’ve made 50 appearances for one of the biggest clubs in the world and I’ve played at a high level early in my career,” he said.

“I’m not a screamer and shouter but I’m not going to change the way I am. Some people are going to disagree with it, but Gary Speed thought it was the right decision.

“It’s come at such a young age and, hopefully, I can be captain for many years.”