WALES boss Craig Bellamy lavished praise on Harry Wilson after the Fulham midfielder scored the only goal of the game in the 1-0 win over Montenegro in Cardiff on Monday night.
Wilson scored from the penalty spot in the 36th minute in the Nations League B Group 4 clash as Wales extended their unbeaten start under Bellamy to four games.
Former Liverpool midfielder Wilson, 27, has scored in his last three games for Wales, the first player to do so since Gareth Bale at Euro 2016.
It has been a different story for Wilson under Marco Silva at Fulham this season, as he has played only 36 minutes in the Premier League.
Bellamy, on the other hand, has been in awe of his player.
“So good,” Bellamy said. “You can use him in so many different areas. We used him as a double-eight. His timing, you can use a player like him in so many different areas of the pitch. He is so intelligent – a footballer’s footballer.
“I knew he was a good player – I was there when he made his debut – but when you get to work with someone at close range, he is so good. So talented and so intelligent.
“The way we play, he benefits massively and you see a real talent. When I’m watching him, I’m just like ‘Wow’. What you don’t see in him, watch him without the ball. Watch how good he is, how he presses, his sprints, his intensity. He is elite at that.
“You back that up with footballing ability – we are just seeing the footballing talent.”
Bellamy is the first Wales boss to be undefeated in his first four games.
Bellamy said: “It was a really good performance. A lot of changes which I did say to be prepared for. We need a big squad. The Nations League is brilliant, really competitive, it allows you to use your squad and there’s loads of positives from that.
“There are some players who did well today. A squad really gives you a better chance to qualify for a major tournament. It really suits the bigger nations with the bigger squads.
“I had a good few months to prepare for these games. I came in as the Wales manager in early July so I had a period leading into September that allowed me to prepare myself for worst-case scenario, best-case scenario and middle-of-the-road scenario. Whatever way it was going to go, the bigger picture was very important for me, without communicating that.
“I’m very conscious that you guys don’t like the word process, philosophy. Look, can we win every game possible? If it’s not the case, how can we improve during that period? That is really it. I have an outstanding coaching staff. I must mention a guy called Piet Criemers, who has brought so much to me in a short space of time. Him, Crofty [Andrew Crofts], Rowbs [James Rowberry], I don’t want to name everyone, even though I have. Even Marge [Martyn Margetson] this week gave me a bit of experience. The people that are around have benefitted us so far.”
