Wales boss Rob Page has branded Cardiff City's Rubin Colwill a "wonderful asset" after he netted his first goal for his country in the 1-1 draw with Czech Republic on Tuesday night.
Colwill's stock has risen exponentially over the last 14 months or so, ever since Mick McCarthy brought him into the first-team squad at Cardiff. Since then he has gained his first Bluebirds appearance, first international cap and experienced his first major international tournament.
It's been some year for a player who, at 19, is an immensely promising talent. For Cardiff, there was a great reliance on him at the beginning of the campaign, given there was such a dearth of creativity in the Bluebirds' squad. The loan signing of Tommy Doyle from Manchester City in January has alleviated that somewhat, but it has also hindered Colwill's game-time at club level.
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The 19-year-old has started only seven league games for his club since Steve Morison took charge in October, having to endure a spell out of the squad over the last few months as he struggled to force his way into first-team plans. The team benefitted, had a better balance and the results came, so he could hardly argue with the call.
But the trouble is that when he is given a chance, he simply cannot be ignored. He produces impressive moments and displays a calmness which belies his 19 years. And his national team boss Page, who watched on as Colwill latched on to Brennan Johnson's ball after blistering run to get Wales back on terms, believes the youngster, who he described as an "intelligent No. 10" has the ability to shine all over the pitch if afforded the opportunity.
"Rubin was my wildcard for the Euros and as soon as he trained with us I could see he had ability in abundance," Page said after the draw with the Czechs.
"I wanted to expose him to those experiences in the Euros, training with the likes of Gareth (Bale), Aaron (Ramsey), Joe (Allen), Ben Davies, Chris Gunter, the senior players. I wanted him to experience what it was like at an international tournament so that it's not alien to him in future tournaments when we qualify again.
"He is a talented player. I wanted to see him as a midfielder as well as a 10. I wanted to see him as an eight, because I think he has got the attributes to be an eight, he is a big, powerful runner, like we seen in the goal he scored against Liverpool, he is a powerful runner through the pitch.
"He has got an eye for goal, he can play anywhere in the front four positions, so there is a lot going for that lad. He is a humble guy as well. He just gets on with his work and his not a minute's problem. He has got a chance."
Patience has been urged by Bluebirds boss Morison, who wants all fans and media to keep their feet on the ground as Colwill tries to round his game. He needs to do more off the ball, especially if he is to feature in the number eight role to which Page alluded, while his decision-making at times lets him down.
But there is no doubting that there is a potentially special talent sprouting his way through in the Welsh capital, one who many hopes will dazzle for club and country over the coming decade and more. Page certainly believes he has a big future ahead of him.
"Eighteen months ago when I first clapped eyes on him, I knew he is going to have a wonderful career in the game. Absolutely," Page added.
"He has got a bright future with us for Wales as well. It's about using him when we need to. It was absolutely the right decision to start him and he proved that.
"What a wonderful asset to have. Whether it's him coming on and getting you up the pitch, scoring goals, then it's another string to his bow."
The dilemma now, of course, is what happens with him at club level. Morison's Bluebirds have been fantastic over the last few months and the players muscling in ahead of Colwill have done no wrong and have earned their right to keep the shirt.
But there is also the consideration of planning for next year and beyond. There is the small matter of the South Wales derby coming up this Saturday and Cardiff will doubtless be picking their strongest team. At present, few would argue that Colwill would get in ahead of England Under-21 international Doyle in that more advanced midfield role.
Colwill is a fantastic impact player for Cardiff at the minute, a talented ball-player who can produce game-changing moments which make you sit up and take notice. Note that stunning goal against Liverpool, the match-winning free-kick against QPR and the coolly taken goal on Tuesday night for Wales, for example.
No Cardiff player has scored more goals this season than Colwill — he has seven for the Bluebirds and Wales — which is an impressive feat given he has started only 14 of his 33 appearances this term.
The next phase of his development is for him to become indispensable and one of the first names on the team sheet at Cardiff. And that opportunity might arise for him in the coming weeks.
Once the derby is out of the way, one suspects Morison will turn his head to next season and we might see the teenager getting a string of games in the final seven fixtures as the coaching and recruitment staff run the rule over what is needed next season. Colwill's job, of course, is to prove to them they don't need another Tommy Doyle next term.
