Exclusive: Robbie Savage explains how Reading move helped son Charlie secure senior Wales debut

The 20-year-old made his Wales senior debut on Wednesday and bagged an assist as Rob Page’s side picked up a convincing 4-0 victory over Gibraltar.

Savage put on an impressive display which has since forced the Wales boss to keep the young midfielder in the squad for the crunch Euro 2024 qualifying clash with Croatia on Sunday.

“It just goes to show with Rob Page and the whole coaching staff that if you believe in the process, if you listen to the advice given, you go out and play senior football, you’ll have an opportunity,” proud dad Robbie told Planet Sport.

“He took it with both hands. I thought he was fantastic in the game, made 150 passes.

“But I think he got his opportunity because he believed in himself, he believed in what people said to him.”

Charlie Savage left Manchester United for Reading over the summer, with the player making 11 League One appearances so far this season.

The midfielder struggled to get much senior game time during his time at Old Trafford, with dad Robbie praising his decision to take a risk and move elsewhere.

He said: “Going to Reading under Ruben Selles and learning another side of the game, because when you’re at Manchester United, you’re getting all the ball and you can pass it, you can get the ball off defenders and try to dictate play.

“Going to Reading in League One, what Reading are trying to instil in him is that other side of the game. Winning second balls, headers, tackles.

“When he came off the park last night, he was more happy with one of the tackles he did. If he can learn that side of the game to add to his passing ability, he’ll have a great future.

“He knows it’s the first chapter in his book. He’s still learning, he still wants to get better.

“But to wear that Wales shirt, to sing that anthem. That was one of the big things I said – make sure you sing the anthem. I told him to enjoy it, it’s about him.

“To get rewarded, staying in the squad against Croatia on Sunday is an amazing feat for the young man. It was a big moment for him. The stars aligned.”

Robbie added: “It’s hard taking because it’s about him and I don’t want to make it about me. It’s his career, his journey. Hopefully now people can see him for what he is, for what he’s achieved, for how well he’s doing.

“He’s got a long way to go. There’s going to be highs and lows. There’ll be times when he’s not in the squad, there will be times when he’s not playing every time, when he needs an arm round him.

“But be a sponge. I’ve said that before, be a sponge, take everything in. The senior lads were great with him. But he knows he still has a lot of work to do. He will keep learning and keep striving to be the best Charlie he can be.”