SWANSEA City defender Neil Taylor says Wales can use the new-found belief in the squad and in the country as a whole to take a giant step towards Euro 2016 this weekend, writes Andrew Penman.

The national team head to Israel tomorrow ahead of Saturday’s crunch top of the table qualifier in Haifa knowing that a win would take them to the summit of Group B after five games.

And Taylor says the players are thriving on the growing positivity amongst Welsh football fans following their unbeaten start to the campaign.

“Obviously in the current scenario it’s a massive game for us,” said the Swans star.

“Being where we are in the group and the opposition being where they are it’s now for us to really push on.

“We’re almost at the midway stage now and it’s a big game for us.

“Playing for your country is massive; it’s the pinnacle of your career.

“We really feel like that and we’ve said all along in this campaign that we’re trying to get the feel-good factor going and give the fans something to back.

“I think in the two home games they did that and we’ll have a fair few out there again as well.

“We’re just trying to get a bit of hype back around Welsh football again and if we can do that and we get on the crest of a wave and get some results then maybe we can go somewhere.”

And, having won in Andorra and held favourites Belgium to a 0-0 draw in Brussels last November, Taylor says the trip to Israel holds no fears.

“We’re not wary about it; we’re excited about it,” said the 26-year-old.

“That’s why we play international football – we want these games to mean something.

“Belgium was massive and we managed to get a good result there.

“This is something different for us but it’s something that we’re all really looking forward to.

“If you want to progress in the group then you have to go to these places and get something.

“We took a lot from the game in Belgium and you do need those confidence boosts.

"We know that there is a long way to go in the group but we’re in a good position at the moment.

“Israel will feel the same as us that this is an opportunity for one of the teams to break away a little bit.”