‘GODLIKE GARETH HAS GIVEN EVERYONE IN SQUAD HUGE LIFT’

RYAN GIGGS will give Gareth Bale a chance today to live up to his “godlike” status in China.

Real Madrid’s £85million ace will feature for Wales in their opening China Cup game against the hosts in Nanning.

New Wales boss Giggs says the buzz around Bale (left) in the Far East is similar to his former team-mate David Beckham at Manchester United.

Giggs said: “It’s the same when Becks came into the team. He took the limelight away from me. But Gareth is used to that.

“Gareth would have been out here in the Far East plenty of times with Madrid.

“The players are used to the adulation they get, especially in this part of the world because footballers are treated like gods.”

Bale trained on Tuesday in Nanning just hours after a marathon 7,500-mile trip from Madrid.

He is now expected to win his 69th cap as he tries to add to his tally of 26 international goals.

Giggs added: “Gareth gives everyone a massive lift. It was just a working recovery and getting the rubbish out of his legs so it’s not a big shock when he trains again.”