Aaron Ramsey has gone back to his roots in Cardiff return
AARON RAMSEY is being tipped to deliver more HAIR-OICS on his sensational return to the Championship with boyhood club Cardiff.
The Wales captain, 32, turned down a lucrative move to Saudi Arabia when he sealed a third spell with the Bluebirds which kicks off at Leeds on Sunday.
Ramsey left Cardiff for Arsenal in 2008 and had a loan spell back in the Welsh capital in 2011.
But the ex-Gunners and Juventus star has been backed to be a cut above and show he is the best midfielder in the league by close pal Chris Gunter.
Gunter recalled former Cardiff and Wales team-mate had the confidence to make the grade when he made his first-team debut at the age of 16 and 123 days – still a record for the Welsh club’s youngest player - in April 2007.
Prior to breaking John Toshack’s record when Ramsey came on as a substitute for Paul Parry in the 1-0 home defeat to Hull at the old Ninian Park, he had shaved his hair off.
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Gunter said: “Most people at that time knew he had quite long hair, he was in the matchday squad and turned up to the game with his hair shaved off. I thought it was a bit of a surprise.
";That was Aaron, he had a lot of confidence even though it sounds daft to say something about his hairstyle.
“It felt it was only going to be a matter of time before he got into the team properly.
“The season finished, he came back and seemed to go on and on. Everyone realised that if he was breaking records from somebody like John Toshack there was a reason behind it.
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“And as soon as he established himself he never looked back.”
Gunter has been mates with Ramsey since their teens coming through the Cardiff ranks together.
The Wales coach, 34, who won 109 caps for his country, also came off the bench for that Hull game as a 17-year-old.
He knew then what a talent Cardiff had on their hands – and he reckons the former Nice star, who joined on a free transfer, can light up the second tier.
Gunter added: “Even back then, if Aaron gave the ball away, he’d continue to try because he always had that inner confidence and self-belief. As a young player, that’s hard to do.
“He dominated and ran games and scored goals from 25-30 yards so it wasn’t hard to see what ability he had.
“But it was more his character and the way he carried himself, even around people a lot older than him.
“He’s had an amazing career and hopefully it can finish with real success back home, carrying the Welsh flag like he’s done for many years.
“Cardiff have a superstar on their hands and there won’t be a better midfielder in the league.
“There are not many creative players who are more inventive and reliable than him.
"He is a top-class midfielder and someone you want right in the middle of your team who will demand what you need.
“The opposition will see his name on the team sheet and he’ll have a lot of attention but he’s the Welsh captain and has been at the forefront of the national team at major tournaments.
“At his age and the way he is as a person, he’ll be really comfortable with the move. It makes total sense. He can get into a zone of being focussed.
"He’ll enjoy that responsibility of going back home, being one of the main players and will find his feet quickly.”
Ramsey follows former international team-mates Craig Bellamy, who hung up his boots at Cardiff in 2014, and Swansea midfielder Joe Allen, 33, by returning to Wales in the final stages of their careers.
Gunter said: “Welsh people feel a real sense of belonging. We’re not the biggest country but when you’ve grown up in the environment, there’s something strong and powerful about it.
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“Aaron’s family still live in Wales, it’s where he grew up and he wants his family to now do the same.
"Craig did something similar and there’s no coincidence why. If you’re from Wales then that’s you for life.”