LEDLEY DEFENDS SCOTS.

Byline: KEN GORMAN

WALES star Joe Ledley has rapped back at his critics, insisting: "Moving to Scotland has made me a better player".

The 26-year-old midfielder chose to join Celtic instead of Stoke when his contract at his home-city club Cardiff ended three years ago.

And his move has led to claims that playing in Scotland, instead of the Premier League, has blunted his career. But Ledley has no regrets. He said: "I'm happy I joined Celtic.

"I don't think that moving to a Premier League club, whose ambitions are just to be in mid-table, would have been better.

"In the last three years, I've had the chance to play in the Champions League, facing some of the world's best players. That's got to make you better.

"I've had great times too. Celtic beating Barcelona was a result that sent shock waves around Europe. And it helped to qualify for the knockout stages as well."

Team mate Aaron Ramsey has apologised to Wales boss Chris Coleman for his red card at Hampden.

The Arsenal midfielder committed a professional foul on Wigan's James McArthur late in Wales' 2-1 win in Glasgow.

Ramsey will miss Tuesday's tie against Croatia and said: "The red card was very disappointing and it's something I will learn from."

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Title Annotation:	Sport
Publication:	Sunday Mirror (London, England)
Geographic Code:	4EUUK
Date:	Mar 24, 2013
Words:	212
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