HARPER: KEEPERS DO HAVE TO BE SHARPER NOW
Giggs tips Gareth to star again but wants team-mates to ease burden on Madrid ace
7.45pm GARETH BALE is being backed to spearhead Wales’ latest qualifying campaign – but Ryan Giggs has urged his team-mates to “take the pressure off him”.
Bale played 90 minutes under new Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane on Sunday and scored his 14th of the season in the 2-0 win over Celta Vigo.
He is ready for Wales’ friendly with Trinidad and Tobago, in Wrexham tonight, before Slovakia on Sunday in their opening Euro 2020 qualifier.
Bale inspired Wales to Euro 2016 with seven of their 11 goals in qualifying, plus two assists.
Now, boss Giggs hopes Bale, who has 31 goals in 74 internationals, can deliver again after predecessor Chris Coleman failed to reach the World Cup when their star man was injured.
Giggs said: “It is always great because usually when Gareth scores he goes on a run. It was his first 90 minutes for three months and, if he plays games, he will score goals. Any manager would want him.
“When Gareth’s turned up, he’s been brilliant, he loves playing for Wales and being with his mates and he’s one of the voices in the dressing room.
“He’s the main man, but I also want to take the pressure off him. Then, if he is not available, we are not just relying on one player.
“Aaron Ramsey has also scored some important goals, too. And, with the emergence of Harry Wilson, David Brooks and Dan James, we have so many attacking options.
“That is what we want, but you also recognise you have a special player and one of the best in the world and want him to play to his strengths, too.”
Tom Lawrence, Sam Vokes and Ethan Ampadu have all pulled out of Wales’ squad due to injury.
But skipper Ashley Williams is keeping the armband for the forthcoming campaign.
On-loan Stoke stopper Williams, who used to play for Swansea, had upset fans before Wales’ 2-1 Nations League defeat to Denmark last November when filmed saying: “Look at these mugs doing the Ayatollah.”
He was passing a picture of Cardiff fans doing their trademark gesture. But he has since apologised. STEVE HARPER is excited by the potential of Northern Ireland’s goalkeepers after getting his first taste of his new coaching role.
Harper, the 44-year-old former Newcastle, Hull and Sunderland stopper, was named as goalkeeping coach last week, replacing Maik Taylor. He worked with the squad this week for the first time ahead of Euro 2020 qualifiers against Estonia tomorrow and Belarus on Sunday.
There are concerns that of the three keepers in Michael O’Neill’s squad – Leeds’ Bailey Peacock-Farrell, Conor Hazard and Michael McGovern – only Hazard is playing regularly, for Partick Thistle on loan from Celtic. But Harper (left) is happy with what he has seen already this week. “I’ve been impressed with them,” he said.
“We’ve had two really long days, given the intensity in a short period of time. I had a good look at them. Michael had an incredible time with his country in the Euros and there are outstanding young goalkeepers in the squad.
“It’s great how the role has evolved.
“From being the last line of defence, you’re very much the first line of attack.” 1926: 1990: 2007: 2016: