By Gareth James
Kieffer Moore intends to carry the inspiration of two Cardiff City legends with him when he plays for Wales at the Euros this summer.
The Wales striker moved to 20 goals for the season with a brace against all-but-relegated Wycombe at the weekend, but his duties for club and country this season are far from over.
Moore wants to keep his scoring form going in Cardiff’s two remaining Championship fixtures – away to Birmingham City and at home to Rotherham – to ensure a top 10 finish before heading off to try and plunder more goals for Wales at the delayed European Championship finals.
Wales – who have confirmed they will have Rob Page in charge rather than Ryan Giggs – play France in a friendly in Nice on June 2 and then have another warm-up at home to Albania three days later.
Their opening tournament fixture is then against Switzerland on June 12 in Baku, with matches to follow against Turkey and Italy.
Moore is the first Bluebird to reach the 20-goal mark since Peter Whittingham and Jay Bothroyd in the 2009/10 and 2010/11 campaigns respectively.
The 28-year-old will be Wales’ first-choice target man this summer and said: “I didn’t want to go to the Euros not scoring goals or not in form. I want to hit the ground running.
“I want to give myself the best opportunity I can to help the team, score goals, and show what I can do on the big stage. So, doing this is everything for me.
“I’ve got goals of my own and now I’ve hit one of them. I’m very thankful for this opportunity and I’m just thrilled to reach the 20 mark.
“To be up there with Bothroyd and Whittingham is something special.”
Moore is the fourth top scorer in the Championship this season. He’s been a warrior for club and country, playing 50 games and netting 23 times.
Moore’s first goal against Wycombe was a stunning individual effort as he cut in from the right before unleashing a low shot into the bottom corner.
Cardiff boss Mick McCarthy knows Moore’s stunning form means he willl attract interest from bigger clubs.
“I want him to have a good Euros and I want him to have a good career,” he said.
“I signed him at Ipswich for 20 grand and he’s done alright since moving on. I love to see players progressing. If he leaves here, well that’s what happens.
“If you sign players and they score 20-odd goals, you get interest from other people. There is nothing you can do about it.”
