Wales boss Rob Page says Scottish football can help Aaron Ramsay end Scotland’s World Cup dream.
The Dragons gaffer was delighted to see one of his star men sign for Rangers on deadline day and believes the Ibrox club have signed a ‘world class’ talent from Juventus.
Page is convinced that his spell in the Scottish Premiership will be of huge benefit to Wales ahead of the World Cup play-offs in March, with a potential final against Steve Clarke’s side in Cardiff.
Scotland take on Ukraine at Hampden in the semi-final while the Welsh go up against Austria.
Page would love both nations to go through and hopes Rangers get Ramsey bang in form before leading them to Qatar 2022.
In an exclusive interview with MailSport , Page said: “Scotland are in great form and hopefully we can both get to the play-off final which will take care of itself.
“But it’s ironic that Scottish football can help Aaron get ready for these games, with one potentially being against Scotland.
“I’m sure that wasn’t part of his thought process going to Rangers.
“But we want Aaron fit and firing for two massive games in March.
“I want him firing on all cylinders. By going to a massive club like Rangers and being able to play games, that’s great for Wales.
“The problem we’ve had recently is our big players not playing domestic football every week at their clubs.
“Aaron has been one of them at Juventus and it’s been frustrating for him.
“Gareth Bale at Real Madrid is another who hasn’t played a lot of minutes.
“But they always turn up at camp and put on performances.
“For Aaron to go out now and play every week at a big club like Rangers - we’re only going to benefit from that.
“At Rangers, he’ll have a manager and a club who know how to manage him.
“When you get the wrong side of 30, you have to manage your body slightly differently.
“We’ve done that with Aaron. On international duty, we look after the senior players like Aaron, Gareth and Joe Allen.
“That’s how we get the best out of them.
“At 31, it’s not about what Aaron does on a Thursday. It’s about what he does at 3pm on a Saturday to help his team win a game of football.
“With sensible management, I’m sure Aaron will do that at Rangers.”
Page believes Ramsey could have joined several Premier League clubs when Juventus agreed to let him leave on loan.
But he’s delighted he chose to sign for Rangers, who are battling on three fronts - the Scottish Premiership, Scottish Cup and Europa League.
The Wales gaffer says the former Arsenal playmaker is so good, he’d pay to watch him TRAIN.
Page said: “I’m really pleased that Aaron has joined Rangers.
“I’d pay to watch him train. He’s THAT good, I’ve got such a high opinion of him.
“He’s been wonderful for me since I’ve taken over the Wales team and at Euro 2020. He showed exactly what he’s all about.
“Rangers have made one hell of a signing because he’s still a world class player.
“I understand why he’s gone there. He could have gone to Premier League clubs but that speaks volumes about him as a person.
“He wants to win things and wants to be part of a team that’s been successful, competing in all types of competitions.
“That says a lot about Aaron as a character.
“He’s still got the hunger to achieve things and he’s gone to a club that will help him do that.
“It’s an exciting signing for Rangers and the supporters should quite rightly be looking forward to seeing him play.”
Ramsey is set to make his Ibrox debut against Hearts today and Page is adamant that his influence will rub off on others at Gers.
He said: “Aaron won’t go into the Rangers changing room and rant, shout or pin players up against a wall. He’s not that type.
“But he’ll show it in his actions on the training pitch and then he’ll take it into games.
“At the Euros last summer, he showed real maturity in his performances for Wales.
“We all know what he can do on the ball. His goal against Turkey typified what he’s all about, with that forward run he made.
“But the other side of his game impressed me, the defensive side.
“So there should be no qualms about him playing for Rangers as one of two central midfielders, with Aaron being the one to get forward.”
