Wilson again follows Bellamy's lead at another crossroads for Wales

Nations League: Wales vs Turkey

Venue: Cardiff City Stadium Date: Friday, September 6 Start: 19:45 CEST

Cover: Listen on BBC Radio Wales, Radio Cymru, Radio 5 Live, plus live text commentary followed by report and reaction on the BBC Sport website and app.

When Craig Bellamy shook Harry Wilson's hand to congratulate him on his debut for the Welsh national team in Brussels in October 2013, it felt like a symbolic moment for Welsh football.

For Bellamy, this was his 78th and final appearance for his country, while Wilson came on as a last-minute substitute to become Wales' youngest player at 16 years and 207 days.

A minute after Wilson came on, Bellamy set up Aaron Ramsey's goal to secure a respectable 1-1 draw against a star-studded Belgian side on their way to the 2014 World Cup the following summer.

Qualification had been out of reach for Wales for a long time, but even as the country missed out on a major tournament for the 56th time, there was a sense that something special was brewing.

“I see a bright future for us,” Bellamy said at the time. “Even though I may not be there when we ultimately qualify.”

Wales did not have to wait long. In fact, the team fulfilled its long-held dream at the next attempt and not only qualified for the 2016 European Championships, but also made it to the semi-finals.

Wilson had already fallen from grace by this point and was watching as a fan in France, while Bellamy worked as a TV pundit as Ramsey, Gareth Bale and others led Wales to historic heights.

But when the team qualified for the following European Championship and the 2022 World Cup, Wilson returned and experienced the magic of a major tournament for himself. The Fulham attacking midfielder has now won 54 international caps.

He will be reunited with Bellamy on Friday when the former captain begins his tenure as Wales head coach with a Nations League home game against Turkey.

“When I first started understanding football, he was probably at the peak of his career. Being a Liverpool fan as well, playing for the club and being Welsh, he was definitely someone I watched and looked up to,” says Wilson, who began his career at Liverpool.

“My first game was his last, so I crossed paths with him briefly as a player. It was great to see the standard he set and I feel like he carries that into his coaching.”

Risk, attack, attention to detail – Bellamy’s new style

Wilson and his teammates have only had a few training sessions with Bellamy, but he has already made a big impact.

“I think it definitely feels different. I think his ideas and the style of play he demands from us are different from what we have played so far,” says the 27-year-old.

“There's a lot more risk involved in building up the game. He wants the goalkeepers, defenders and others to stay on the ball, take responsibility and build up the pitch that way. I also think if we do that right, we can put our attacking players further up the pitch.”

“This is definitely the way I want to play football and also the way I see football. Having that is great.”

Bellamy will not have much time to implement his changes. He completed his first training session on Monday and after Friday's game against Turkey, Wales play away against Montenegro three days later.

“We've definitely got the players playing the way he wants them to,” Wilson added. “There were a lot of mistakes in the first few days, but the guys are just getting used to it.”

“I think if we do it right and it clicks, we can pose a real threat with the way we play.

“He's obsessed with the way he plays. It's incredible how much he pays attention to details. Even the little things like posture and the angle at which you receive the ball. Little things like that.”

“It feels like the whole game could fit together if you do it right. That's what I noticed most in the first few days, the obsession with the little things.

“We have to use these games to work on the ideas of the new manager, the new style he wants from us, but ultimately as a player you want to win every game.

“From Friday onwards we want to get three points in every game. We don't know if that will work, but we will do our best. Then the coach wants to see his style of play and hopefully the fans can see what we have been working on this week.”