Ex-Man Utd ace Charlie Savage makes full Wales debut in Gibraltar win as fans say he’s ‘better than dad Robbie ever was’
CHARLIE SAVAGE was handed his full Wales debut by boss Rob Page against Gibraltar this evening.
And fans already reckon he’s better than his dad Robbie ever was.
The former Manchester United youngster was thrown into a new-look starting XI that also included fellow debutants Regan Poole, Joe Low and Liam Cullen.
Savage, 20, completed the full 90 minutes as Wales romped to a 4-0 friendly win at The Racecourse.
And fans were thrilled with his display.
One tweeted: “Charlie Savage is like one of those tribute acts who is actually a better musician than who they are impersonating.”
While a second stated: “Charlie Savage is better than Robbie Savage ever was.”
A third even gushed: “Think Charlie Savage will be surpassing his old mans 39 caps quite comfortably. Lads a baller.”
Another added: “Charlie Savage assist on his senior international debut. The kid is special.”
Meanwhile, Kieffer Moore fired a warning to Euro 2024 rivals Croatia after finally getting his season up and running with a double.
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The Wales and Bournemouth striker proved too hot for Gibraltar to handle by powering home two first-half headers – his first goals of the season – in this Wrexham friendly.
Dragons captain Ben Davies and Nathan Broadhead also netted in a perfect warm-up for Sunday’s crunch Group D qualifier against last year’s World Cup semi-finalists.
Wales need a positive result against the Croats in Cardiff to keep their automatic qualification hopes of reaching the finals in Germany next summer alive.
With Page’s men already without injured duo Brennan Johnson and regular skipper Aaron Ramsey, Moore will shoulder the responsibility of providing the threat in attack.
Moore has struggled for game-time at the Cherries this season and this run-out – albeit against minnows ranked 198th in the world – was still worthwhile in boosting his confidence and gaining invaluable minutes.
His pair now puts him on 12 international goals after 34 caps, level with Ryan Giggs and just one goal behind John Toshack in the all-time goalscoring charts.
And big forward Moore, who has been suspended for the last two qualifiers following a stupid red card picked up against Armenia in June, gives Wales a different dimension when he is available.
Reading midfielder Savage showed the same tenacity of his famous dad, who was watching in the stands, with a crunching tackle on Gibraltar’s Tjay de Barr.
Wales suffered an injury blow when Wes Burns was forced off with his arm in a sling following a heavy fall.
But the hosts only had to wait until midway through the first half for Davies to nod the Dragons in front.
Davies had the simplest of headers when the Tottenham defender was left unmarked inside the six-yard box from Broadhead’s corner.
It was only Davies’ second international goal on his 81st cap – the same number of matches Gibraltar have played in their footballing history.
Moore doubled the lead four minutes later when his header went in off the post following a delightful left-footed cross from debutant Savage, who impressed as the half wore on.
The striker had not scored a goal for club or country since his winner over Latvia back in March and getting back on the scoresheet could be just the tonic for the 31-year-old.
This international was more akin to a training session for Wales as goalkeeper Danny Ward was virtually a spectator during his 45-minute outing.
Broadhead made it 3-0 when the Ipswich attacker jinxed past a defender before rifling his shot into the top corner.
Savage was denied a debut goal by Gibraltar keeper Dayle Coleing before Moore bagged his second when he headed home Dan James’ cross.
Moore, Davies, Ward and Jordan James were all withdrawn at half-time in preparation for Croatia as substitute keeper Wayne Hennessey moved just two caps behind Gareth Bale’s all-time record of 111.
A flat second half petered out with Leeds winger James crashing a post as Page’s men extended their unbeaten run to three matches with three clean sheets ahead of Sunday’s acid test.