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GIGGS IS SPARKING A RED REVOLUTION AT WALES .. AND LIKE THE BOSSES AT HIS OLD CLUB, HE IS IMMEDIATELY SHOWING HIS FAITH IN YOUTH
RYAN GIGGS is showing his ruthless streak as he leads Wales through a revolution he hopes will end in more tournament thrills.
Giggs enjoyed a sensational opening 4-1 win over the Republic of Ireland in his first home game and competitive debut as manager in front of 25,657 in Cardiff. Chris Coleman’s successor gave a clutch of talented youngsters full debuts, including Chelsea’s Ethan Ampadu, in their Nations League opener. He was repaid with a dazzling display, Tom Lawrence, Gareth Bale (below), Aaron Ramsey and Connor Roberts grabbing the goals. It vindicated Giggs’ bold call to give first competitive starts to Ampadu, 17, Roberts, 22, David Brooks, 21, and Chris Mepham, 20. Previously uncapped Tyler Roberts, 19, and Manchester City’s Matthew Smith, 18, on his second appearance, caught the eye as subs. But it came at a cost to several regulars and heroes of the Euro 2016 run to the semi-finals. Most notably right-back Chris Gunter, Wales’ second most capped player with 88, whose run of 63 consecutive starts was ended by Roberts. Ashley Williams, who led this week just as he did at Euro 2016, said: “He’s left a few of the guys out who normally play and I’m sure they will be disappointed not to play in a game like that. But the gaffer has confidence in the kids and you can see with the way they have performed.
“He said it was one of the best performances he’s ever seen and he is proud of all the guys.
“We have enjoyed the week working with him and we will continue to go on to Denmark and try a repeat performance on Sunday. We have a competitive squad and whoever plays we’re united and try to win.”
Giggs made his breakthrough as a 17-year-old at Manchester United and his Dragons rebuild based on youth has raised hopes of making Euro 2020 following Coleman’s exit after missing out on the World Cup.
Giggs introduced a new style of playing out from the back from keeper Wayne Hennessey through to Bale up top, with Lawrence and Ramsey bombing on past.
It overwhelmed Ireland, whose starting line-up was missing five starters from their World Cup qualifier win in Cardiff in October.
Williams added: “We felt like we could have scored a lot more. A few of the boys are disappointed they didn’t score, which goes to show how well we played.
“But I thought the control we played with, we were never flustered, we played a style we wanted to play and played out from the back.
“Everyone was involved, including Wayne, and played with high confidence. You could see it spread throughout the team.” Giggs (inset, greeting former United team-mate and Ireland assistant boss Roy Keane) described the performance as “special” but stressed it should be a benchmark for what he now expects in every game.
Williams added: “We have high standards of ourselves and when we don’t hit them it’s very frustrating. “We’ve shown what we can do. You can’t always hit those high levels like against Ireland.
“But at least that’s what we are aiming for and I don’t see why we can’t play similar to that every single game.”
It promises to make for a fascinating test on Sunday in Denmark, where the hosts will have a full strength side.
Denmark reached the last 16 of the World Cup but the likes of Christian Eriksen and Kasper Schmeichel have since been a contractual row with their FA.
The Danes were forced to field a makeshift side of amateurs and semi-pros against Slovakia on Wednesday but their key men will return to face Wales.
Williams said: “We didn’t really have any doubt it would be resolved by Denmark.”