STRIKER Hal Robson-Kanu says the Wales squad will take a moment to remember former manager Gary Speed if they seal qualification for Euro 2016 this weekend.

Wales travel to Bosnia-Herzegovina needing just a point on Saturday night or at home to Andorra on Tuesday to finish the job.

Robson-Kanu paid tribute to the job that current manager Chris Coleman has done but said the contribution of Speed, who died in 2011, would never be forgotten.

“We’re looking to kick-start what could be a special couple of decades for Welsh football,” said the Reading forward.

“When Gary Speed took over a number of years ago he came in and changed the environment.

“Before there wasn’t really that desire to be the best and do as well as you can but Speedo really implemented that.

“Unfortunately when he passed the gaffer, Chris Coleman came in, and he’s taken that on and beyond.

“He’s really taken the squad forward and given us that belief and desire to really achieve something and that’s what we’re on the verge of now.

“With the special moments we’ve had throughout the campaign as a group we still remember the impact that he [Speed] had when he came in and that will never be forgotten.”

Robson-Kanu also says that the whole squad want Coleman to stay on as boss.

“The manager’s been absolutely outstanding,” added the 26-year-old.

“He came in in difficult circumstances. Not many managers would have wanted to take over in those circumstances but he’s done exceptionally well.

“He’s got the group together; he’s got everyone pulling in the right direction.

“He’s set standards in training and in games and really given us that belief that we can achieve something.

“So for us as players it goes without saying that the manager should be rewarded and obviously he’s the man for the job.”

Robson-Kanu admits that there is excitement in the squad but he insists that nobody will be getting carried away until Wales are certain of a spot in France next summer.

“We’re almost there,” he said. “We’re on the verge of making history and our focus is on getting the job done.

“We’ll look to get a positive result, as we have with every single game in the campaign, and hopefully we’ll be coming home happy.

“Every time I pull on a Wales jersey it’s a massive honour and it’s a joy to be involved with the success we’re having now.

“It would have been nice to have done it against Israel last time out but they parked the bus and it was difficult to get that goal.

“Bosnia will be a tough game and an intense atmosphere. They need to win but we’re focused on what we need to do.

“The fact that they need to win will probably suit us,” he added. “We’re very solid, well organised and can really hurt teams on the counter-attack.”