GIGGS: I’M MORE NERVOUS AS THE BOSS

RYAN GIGGS says he feels far more nervous on his debut as Wales manager than he ever did as a player. The 44-year-old Giggs, who leads his country for the first time here today when Wales face China at the Guangxi Sports Centre, described his pride and excitement about his task. But he also knows he must deal with the kind of trepidation he never experienced during a glittering playing career at Manchester United. ‘I was never really nervous as a player,’ he said. ‘I’ll be much more nervous as manager. ‘Players are quite selfish. You just make sure you’re doing your job within the team, but a manager has so many things to think about. Have you forgotten anything? What can be improved? ‘I’m proud to be the Welsh manager and to be coaching this group of players. I’m excited for the game too.’ Giggs said that while he would not take stupid risks there was a financial incentive to play Gareth Bale against China. Wales will bank £1million for playing in the China Cup but Bale’s absence would have reduced the fee by £100,000. The sight of the 28-year-old continually mobbed by fans for pictures and autographs shows why. Giggs compared the frenzy to the treatment David Beckham received at the height of his United fame but insisted that Bale would take it in his stride. ‘It was the same when Becks came into the United team,’ said Giggs. ‘He took the limelight away from me. ‘Gareth’s used to that — he would have been out in the Far East plenty of times with Real Madrid. Huge teams like United, Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich — the players are used to the adulation in this part of the world — footballers are treated like gods.’ Giggs is weighing up whether to start Bale or use him from the bench. ‘I won’t be taking stupid risks,’ said Giggs. ‘But it’s my first game and I want my best team out there.’ Wales captain Ashley Williams, 33, has revealed for the first time that he has considered retiring from international football after the disappointment of failing to qualify for this summer’s World Cup in Russia. Reflecting on October’s 1-0 defeat by the Republic of Ireland in Cardiff, Williams said: ‘I didn’t want to retire but felt like I should see where I was at. I decided I wanted to keep doing it— to get back to where we were at the Euros.’

WALES (probable, 4-2-3-1): Hennessey; Gunter, Williams, Chester, Davies; Allen, Evans; Bale, King, Woodburn; Vokes.