From Graham Thomas in Dinard
Hal Robson-Kanu has had a taste of Euro 2016 glory and wants more against England – even if it puts his birth country on the brink of elimination.
The Wales striker scored only his third international goal to give his adopted nation their 2-1 victory over Slovakia in Bordeaux on Sunday.
Reflecting on his greatest moment since deciding to switch allegiance from England to Wales in 2010, Robson-Kanu – who was born in London and played for England at U19 and U20 levels – intends to add a fourth at England’s expense in Lens on Thursday.
“It would be special to score in that game – not because it is England, but it is more about scoring for your country, that feeling is unbeatable,” said the Reading striker who is out of contract with the Championship club and wants to get back into the Premier League.
“It is a great stage to show what you are capable of, but I won’t be going into the game thinking I have to prove what I can do. I am very confident in what I am capable of.
“I have played in the Premier League and shown what I can do and it is about putting in a performance and getting another result.”
If that puts England – already vulnerable after being held to a scratchy draw by Russia and weighed down by the destructive carnage of some their followers – near an early exit, then that won’t cause Robson-Kanu to lose much sleep.
The 27-year-old added: “Our focus will be what we can do, we will not be thinking about who it knocks out. If we put in a performance and apply ourselves there is no reason we will not get another result.”
Robson-Kanu’s London background meant he was picked up by Arsenal as a youngster and was with them at the same time as current Gunners and England midfielder Jack Wilshere.
But he says there will be no extra motivation if he comes up against Wilshere on Thursday and that the days of feeling he had something to prove have long gone.
“I was one of the smallest in the whole academy when I was there. I developed quite late.
“Liam Brady (then head of academy) sat me down and said ‘You’ve got a wand of a left foot, I don’t doubt you’ll have a career’.
“But he said I may have a better channel at a different club. Those were his words. He offered me another year to stay and see if I developed and grew.
“At the time I had various options, Reading was one of them, and it was a good decision for my career. It’s one that I’m pleased I made.”
Even before his winner, Robson-Kanu – a languid, laid-back presence off the field, but a workaholic on the pitch for Wales – was already a cult hero among Wales fans.
Long before he actually came on as a substitute for Jonny Williams, his name was being rhythmically chanted in what has become one of the supporters’ favourites.
“Al the players have said when we touched down in Bordeaux, you could feel the presence of the fans, outside the hotel.
“Then, it felt like a home game warming up. That continued into the goals we scored, the celebrations. It was a special feeling and hopefully one that we can take forward.
“The fact that I scored the winner has started to sink in now. It was a special moment for myself, for my family and for the nation. But, obviously, our focus is now on the next game and putting in a performance.
“Afterwards, everyone is quite keen to congratulate you and the nation is very proud. It was a special feeling.
“I have played in big games throughout my career but that atmosphere and the way we won the game – the team spirit we showed – is something I will not forget and hopefully we can build on.
“It is something you dream of as a kid, when you are putting all those hours in on the training ground when no-one is looking. When you graft to better yourself it is for moments like that.”
