‘Proud’ dad Robbie Savage makes admission over son Charlie amid possible Wales international debut

Charlie Savage recently celebrated his first ever call-up for the Wales national side as Rob Page’s men prepare to take on Gibraltar in a friendly and Croatia in a much-anticipated Euro 2024 qualifier.

The Reading midfielder, who left Manchester United in order to pursue first team senior football, made 13 appearances this season for the League One outfit, scoring two goals in the process.

Savage has represented the youth national side at U17, U18, U19 and U21 level, though he is now on the periphery of making his senior bow for Wales.

Dad Robbie Savage was a Wales international in his own right, making 39 appearances for the national side and scoring two goals along the way.

 

 

The former Premier League midfielder opened up on his son’s rise to the Welsh squad, telling Planet Sport exclusively: “We’re proud as a family. It’s a thing that you could normally have dreamed of as a youngster.

“I had my dreams to play for Wales and they came through. But at such a young age, he’s accomplished dreams quicker than I did.

“Obviously playing in the Champions League for Manchester United was an unbelievable achievement for him at such a young age.

“If he can get on the pitch and get his first team cap at the age of 20, it would be a remarkable thing for his sacrifices he’s made, his dedication, his desire.

“The resiliency he’s shown as a young man, I can only be humbled to be his dad.

“It’s an amazing day, but the young man needs an awful lot of credit for what he’s achieved. He’s in the first chapter of his book, he’s taken a lot of things on at the minute.

“But if he can get on, hopefully it’s the first cap of many. And if he doesn’t get on, I’ve told him to be like a sponge, see what the senior players do, take it all in, embrace it and try to get a great experience from it.

“Really proud day for him. He’s achieved this on himself, but he knows it’s a great opportunity and we’re all absolutely so proud of him.

“It just goes to show, at times in life you have to do what you believe in. If he was still playing U21 football, I don’t think this opportunity comes around.

“He left one of the biggest clubs in the world just to play senior football. He’s done that, Reading have embraced him. He’s had a good start.

“But it just goes to show that if you’re brave and you believe in the process, you know your dreams can follow.”