Bale fit for f inal hurdle
RYAN GIGGS believes that Gareth Bale is ready to terrorise Denmark tonight.
Wales’ record scorer missed the 1-0 win in Ireland last month with a groin injury, then picked up a minor ankle problem playing for Real Madrid against Celta Vigo on Sunday.
But Bale has been eased into training this week ahead of the clash at Cardiff City Stadium, where he will be looking to add to his 30 goals in 72 caps.
“He’s good, he’s fine,” said Giggs. “Obviously he arrived a little bit later than the rest of the group after playing Sunday evening. But he has looked good, he is ready.”
Skipper Ashley Williams said: “He’s sharp and ready to go. As usual, Gareth has been happy around the camp.”
Bale was among the squad yesterday who took part in a light-hearted warm-up session of tag – the brainchild of Tony Strudwick, head of performance for Wales, who introduced it this week.
Giggs said: “These last couple of days we are a little bit more relaxed, we have given them the information, now just go out and enjoy yourself, express yourself.”
Giggs describes the crunch Nations League tie as a “cup final”, and admits the pain of losing helps drive him on after revealing showpiece defeats still haunt him.
Victory will see Giggs’ side top Group B4 and secure promotion to Group A to face Europe’s best sides. The rookie boss is determined to prevail after a glittering career with 34 major trophies for United, including the Treble in 1999. But he admits some cup final defeats still hurt, including the 1995 FA Cup final loss to Everton, and the 2009 Champions League final in Rome, when they were beaten 2-0 by Barcelona. “The ones I lost, they stand out more than the ones I won,” said Giggs. “Nou Camp in 1999 was amazing, the best feeling I have ever had on the football pitch, but in 1995 losing against Everton was one of the biggest disappointments of my life. Also Rome, when we lost against Barcelona.
“Wembley, when we lost against Barcelona in 2011, you hold your hands up because they were a very good team, perhaps the best I have faced. But Rome was a bit different, as we started favourites. We just didn’t turn up.
“But you can’t win every game. It is not fear of failure – everybody fails – it is how you combat it and how you come back.”
Tonight’s game is a 33,000 sell-out, unlike Giggs’ first home game against Ireland in September, which attracted 25,657.
And Williams claims fans have now embraced Giggs after some criticism of his appointment following his international record as a player, missing 30 out of 40 possible friendlies.
But Williams said: “They do sing his name a lot in games. They seem to have taken to the change of team and change of manager. The fans seem like they’re enjoying it.”