Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
FERRARI AGAINST BANGER
Hartson says Bale will burn off Ireland
GARETH BALE is a Ferrari capable of making Ireland look like a clapped out old banger, John Hartson has warned.
The Wales legend believes fit-again Real Madrid star Bale can run riot at Aviva Stadium tonight. Bale has scored 11 of Wales’ last 15 goals in qualifying matches, including four in this World Cup campaign. Hartson (left) said: “He’s an incredible specimen of a man, a Ferrari who is 0 to 60 in four seconds. He takes the ball and, zoom, he’s gone. “Ireland have to find a way to stop Gareth. When he plays, we predominantly win. When he plays well for Real Madrid, Real Madrid predominantly win. “He’s a world class player, he’s worth £100million and if he has a good performance he’s very, very difficult to stop. That’s why I think Wales have the edge.”
SEAMUS COLEMAN is backing Shane Long to do the business tonight – and, if needed, the Ireland skipper claims he could grab a goal too.
Coleman has already been the difference between a home win and two points lost in this Group D campaign. His solo effort against Georgia in October proved the vital breakthrough in Ireland’s first Aviva Stadium fixture in this campaign. And it could be something of an omen that he’s the only Irishman to score against Wales keeper Wayne Hennessy this season – he netted the only goal at Crystal Palace in late January. “I hope so,” said Coleman. “That would be ideal, to get on the scoresheet or set a goal up. “We’ve got very good attacking players - but I’m an attacking full back and I like to get forward. “But first and foremost my focus would be to defend.” This World Cup clash pits two Everton defenders up against each other as respective captains of their countries. Toffees centre-back Ashley Williams (left) will lead Wales out at Lansdowne Road and Coleman has full respect for the experienced centre-back. However he feels Long, who has had a difficult season, can upset the Welsh defence. “I think Shane Long can cause any centre half in the world problems,” said the 28-year-old. “Someone with that speed and that leap is dangerous for anyone. “Obviously Ashley is a club mate and we’re doing quite well this season. “I’ve got to know Ashley quite well at club level, he’s a great lad but he’s a winner. “But I’ll be fully focused. I’ll have the green shirt on not the blue shirt. That’s my full focus. “Once I’ve got that green shirt on, that’s all I care about.” Given how often these two sides used to play each other, and the similarity in styles, this fixture became quite a dour prospect. But while another tight encounter is expected tonight, there’s a splash of glamour to the occasion given what’s at stake between two sides who performed well at the Euro 2016 finals. And Coleman believes that on such occasions, it’s important to have figures like Roy Keane and Martin O’neill in your corner. “Yeah, it’s great having Roy around,” he enthused. “He knows what it means to put on the green
shirt. Between Roy and the manager, the first thing that comes to mind is they’re winners so it’s ideal for us players to look up to. “If things are getting a bit sloppy around the place, we’ll be told, that’s what it’s all about, even the likes of John O’shea who has been there and done it. “All the experience we can get is better. All the lads just love meeting up. We’ve a few injuries but there are players desperate to put on that green shirt and perform. We’re really looking forward to this game.” Ireland can still field 10 of the side that started in Serbia in the group opener despite the injury crisis that robs O’neill of a number of key men. The Republic’s manager does take solace in the availability of Coleman to lead the side out, however. “Seamus is not vastly experienced as a captain but he’s a terrific influence on the team and a very, very good player,” said O’neill. “So it’s to do with ability as much as anything, and that ability as a footballer and a leader is very important to us. “And that will grow – and by the time his career is finished, he will have had a fantastic time.”