Ashley Williams has paid tribute to Gareth Bale for the leadership qualities he has displayed for Wales in recent matches.

Bale played a key role as Chris Coleman's side battled to a 2-1 victory over Cyprus on Monday evening, and his captain believes that the example the Real Madrid winger is setting for other players will be crucial throughout their Euro 2016 qualifying campaign.

"Gareth is showing he is a leader on and off the pitch, he is far more vocal and I that really helps both in the dressing room during games and around the camp in the build-up," Williams told reporters.

"At the end of the match it was him who called all the players into a huddle, and I just told them to remember the feeling of tiredness and having left everything on the p[itch, but that we had got what we came for.

"He does get some awful treatment from defenders but I suppose that's normal. I am sure that happens to him every week in Spain, but he gets up and deals with it, and that's an example to us all that you can't make excuses. Whatever happens you must get on with it and find a way to get the results you want."

Wales return to action against Belgium on November 16.

Written by
Callum Mulvihill