Caley Thistle goalkeeper Owain Fon Williams is determined to keep impressing for his club in order to keep his place in the Wales squad for next summer’s European championships in France.
Wales reached the finals of the competition for the first time last month after finishing second behind Belgium in their qualifying group, meaning they will compete at a major tournament for the first time since the 1958 World Cup.
Fon Williams has yet to win his first cap for his country but has been a regular in squads since receiving his first call-up for a 1-0 friendly defeat by Poland in Portugal in February 2009.
The 28-year-old, who joined Caley Jags on a free transfer in the summer after leaving Tranmere Rovers, is hopeful he can keep his spot in Chris Coleman’s squad in order to fulfill a boyhood dream by representing his country at a major tournament.
Fon Williams said: “To actually get that ‘Q’ in the table over Wales’ name was just incredible. To be part of that was amazing.
“There are world-class players in that team. To be among all them was fantastic for me.
“Inverness comes first. If you do well enough at your club, hopefully you get rewarded by going away with the national team. I hope that will continue.”
Despite Wales’ lack of major tournament experience, Fon Williams is confident his country, boosted by the presence of world class players such as Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey, can make a big impact in France.
Fon Williams insists they are not simply there to make up the numbers and added: “It’s the same as the Scots, we’ve got the same sort of underdogs mentality.
“We approach everything with a belief that every dog has its day. This time around it’s a little bit different and that’s not the case because the nation has grown so much in terms of football.
“What they’ve done with Welsh football is incredible. The Football Association of Wales has put a great amount of work into it and it’s come on leaps and bounds.
“What they’ve achieved and created in the past couple of years is remarkable.”
Despite Caley Jags failing to win any of their last four games, Fon Williams says he is delighted with how his move to the Highlands has worked out, adding: “I love it here.
“I wake up and think to myself I’m lucky to be living in such a nice area and working in such a good environment.
“There’s no need to get complacent because I want to be getting better and pushing the other players on. It’s a great football club and a great place to be involved in.”