LEWIS KOUMAS has been dared to score a hat-trick of debut goals.
The Liverpool striker, 18, is set to win his first Wales cap in tonight’s friendly against Gibraltar in the Algarve.
Koumas, son of ex-Dragons midfielder Jason, netted on his Reds senior bow in February’s FA Cup fifth round 3-0 win over Southampton at Anfield.
Then the wonderkid fired home on his Under-21s debut against Lithuania in Newport a month later.
Now Koumas, called up to the Welsh senior squad for the first time, has been challenged by boss Robert Page to seal a personal goal scoring treble against Gibraltar, ranked 203rd in the world.
The Football Association of Wales last night released a video of Koumas chatting to Page and Liverpool legend Ian Rush.
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Page said to Koumas: “We want a hat-trick of debut goals please.”
Wales great Rush, 62, who scored 28 times for his country, quipped: “I’ve not come all this way and he’s not going to score.”
Page and Rush both laughed before the Dragons boss added: “No pressure now.”
After Wales failed to qualify for Euro 2024, Page will turn to the next generation with Koumas, Leeds midfielder Charlie Crew, 17, and Brentford right-back Fin Stevens, 21, all in line to make their debuts.
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Teen star Crew was the Dragons’ captain at the Under-17 Euro finals in Hungary last summer.
Crew was on Daniel Farke’s bench three times in the Championship last season.
Highly-rated midfielder Crew said: “It’s a massive achievement and a really proud moment for me and my family.
“The U17s Euros was a great experience and will help me in good stead for this. I’d love to make my debut.”
Bolton’s Josh Sheehan, 29, will captain Wales’ new-look side.
The five-cap midfielder posted on X: “Something you dream about. What an honour.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
