by Callum Ellis
DEFENDER Chris Gunter says his journey with Wales has been an unbelievable ride as he looks set to become the highest capped men’s player.
And in a touch fitting of the occasion, he will captain the side on the occasion of his record-breaking 93rd cap.
Gunter replaced Paul Dummett on Friday evening to earn his 92nd appearance for Wales; becoming the joint most-capped male player alongside Neville Southall.
But the defender will eclipse Southall’s record tonight, after manager Ryan Giggs confirmed he will start against Albania in Elbasan.
“It’s been an unbelievable sort of ride,” said Gunter.
“Especially over the last couple of years when I’ve been equalling and surpassing certain names that I used to come and watch as a boy.
“It’s something people have been asking me about for a while.
“It’s hard from a personal view to explain what that means. It’s something that I’m really thankful for and hopefully if I do it on Tuesday, it’ll be really special.”
Despite failing to secure promotion to the UEFA Nations League top tier, Gunter says the new competition has been a success.
Giggs’ side fell to a 2-1 defeat against Denmark in their final UEFA Nations League fixture, but are hoping to finish the calendar year on a high against Albania.
UEFA’s decision to create the competition has divided opinion, but the Reading defender says it has been beneficial to Wales.
“The Nations League has been a really good thing for us,” added Gunter.
“A lot of people have come out of it with real credit; people, who a few months ago, you were looking at as youngsters or inexperienced at this level. On that side of it, it’s been a really good few months for Wales.”
(Images: Lewis Mitchell)
