Former Wales and Celtic striker John Hartson has labelled Swansea centre-back Ashley Williams as one of the best centre-backs in Britain.

In his BBC Sport column, Hartson claimed that Williams could join the England squad with ease. The current Wales captain was described as a ‘Leader of Men’ by Hartson, and the 40-year-old says that Williams takes ‘massive pride in his role’.

Hartson also quoted the facts that the 31-year-old has made more clearances and blocks than the likes of John Terry and Gary Cahill so far this season.

“It is obviously hypothetical because he is a proud captain of Wales but I think Ashley Williams would walk into the current England side”, Hartson claimed.

“If there was such a thing as a British XI, there is no doubt he would be in as a centre-half right now.

“In that way he reminds me of Tony Adams, with whom I played at Arsenal when they had one of the finest defences British football has ever seen.

“Adams was a magnificent leader of men. He led by example and showed us the standards we all had to meet.

“Williams is exactly the same – and I can offer him no higher praise than that. You could not ask for a better captain.”

Williams joined Swansea from Stockport County in 2008 for a fee of £400,000. So far in his eight year spell with the club, he has made 324 appearances in all competitions for the club, and has amassed 12 goals to his name.

Williams’ Wales take on Bosnia-Herzegovina on Saturday night, in a game that could seal their qualification for Euro 2016. They currently sit top of Group B, only a point ahead of Belgium.