Bristol City defender Christian on his international future with Wales (From Gazette Series)

Bristol City defender Christian on his international future with Wales

12:28pm Thursday 17th September 2009 in

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CHRISTIAN RIBEIRO is hoping to be part of a Welsh "golden generation" after earning his first senior call-up.

The 19-year-old who grew up in Berkeley has represented Wales at all junior levels and can now feel a first senior cap is within his grasp.

Wales boss John Toshack has put his faith in youth and was impressed by the Bristol City defender’s performance in the under-21s 2-1 victory over Italy which led to his call-up.

And Ribeiro believes the current crop of youngsters coming through are capable of carrying Wales to a first major tournament since 1958.

“Our under-21s are beating some of the top sides in the world so it’s a bit of a golden generation coming through,” he said.

“We’ve got lots of good players coming through between 18 to 21, developing into the Wales squad so in three or four years we should have a smashing squad.

“The Euros might be too soon but for the next World Cup a lot of the players that are 19 and 20 now will be 22 or 23 and have experience.

“At 23 or 24 you’re still considered fairly young so wait until they’re in their prime and I think we’ll have a really good Welsh side to push for the World Cup finals.”

Ribeiro relished the opportunity of training with the likes of Craig Bellamy, Daniel Gabbidon and James Collins and watched from the stands as Wales were beaten 3-1 by Russia in their World Cup qualifier last week.

“It’s great to be recognised and to be called up is a fantastic honour,” he said.

“If I get a few more games I hope to push to get in the squad every time. It shows it is in reach so if I play well you never know.

“In the major countries like England you do not break in until you’re 24 or 25 and two months ago I came back from a serious injury so I never expected to do it so early.”

Ribeiro also gained experience from marking Inter Milan striker Mario Balotelli for the under-21s.

“He’s a top player, I saw in the programme he was likened to the next Thierry Henry so it was great to play against that,” said Ribeiro.

“You do not come up against those players all the time, it was a great game something for everyone to remember.”

After suffering a cruciate ligament injury on his Bristol City debut against Peterborough last August which kept him out for the season, Ribeiro admits he’s exceeded his own expectations since coming back.

He played the full 90 minutes in City’s 2-0 Carling Cup defeat and after his unexpected Wales call-up the challenge now is to get some league appearances under his belt.

“I didn’t think I’d be near the first team by Christmas so to have these achievements already is fantastic, I’m pleased it’s gone so well and hopefully I can have a long successful season,” he said.

“We have a very good squad, it’s quite big and full of quality. I need games for experience in the Football League, if I get 15 or 20 games that would be a good achievement, and if I go out on loan then so be it.”