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Euro 2016: Chris Coleman backs Aaron Ramsey to shine as he can 'open doors nobody else can'

While Ramsey hasn't enjoyed the best of seasons with Arsenal, Coleman believes the midfielder can star in their Euro 2016 campaign

Phil Blanche
Thursday 02 June 2016 07:12 BST
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Aaron Ramsey, sporting a new blonde hair style, can inspire Wales to Euro 2016 glory, says Chris Coleman
Aaron Ramsey, sporting a new blonde hair style, can inspire Wales to Euro 2016 glory, says Chris Coleman (Getty)

Wales manager Chris Coleman expects Aaron Ramsey to hit the heights at Euro 2016 even if he is "flying under the radar".

Ramsey heads towards France after an injury-hit campaign at Arsenal in which his efforts have not always been appreciated by the Gunners' faithful.

But Coleman believes the 25-year-old playmaker will be a key player for Wales in their group games against England, Slovakia and Russia.

"Whatever happens at Arsenal or anywhere else, I can only speak about when he comes with us," said Coleman.

"All I expect from him is just to be Aaron Ramsey on the pitch for us, because there's no one like him.

"He gives us something that we haven't got.

"He can do things in the position he plays that other players can't do.

"He can start play on the edge of our box and he can finish it off on the edge of the opposition box."

Ramsey spent much of the Euro 2016 qualification campaign in Gareth Bale's shadow as the Real Madrid forward scored seven of Wales' 11 goals.

But Coleman insists that Ramsey has excelled since he was appointed four years ago, even if the midfielder's contribution is not always recognised.

He went to Belgium in the first campaign with almost our reserve team and he ran the game

&#13; <p>Chris Coleman</p>&#13;

"Some of the performances I've seen him put in are total dominance in a football game from a midfielder," said Coleman.

"They are the best I've seen from any Welsh midfielder, that's how good he can be.

"He went to Scotland and absolutely ran the game.

"He went to Belgium in the first campaign with almost our reserve team and he ran the game.

"We've got a saying that you're only as good as your worst game - that's nonsense.

"Surely you're only as good as your best game, because that's the level that you can get to.

"When you're on the ball as much as he is, there are going to be mistakes and you're going to give it away.

"But when you've got the imagination he has, and you've got the confidence he has, when you try something it's not always going to come off.

"When it does comes off, he can open doors that nobody else can."

Aaron Ramsey believes Wales can beat England at Euro 2016 (Getty)

And Coleman believes that Ramsey will prosper in France with so much attention on team-mate Bale.

"Balo will tell you how good Aaron is," said Coleman.

"I think it's good for Aaron if he's flying under the radar, he won't have a problem with that.

"Balo doesn't care (about the focus on him), he's got that personality where he just gets on with it.

"But Aaron is as big for us as anyone."

PA

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