WE WON’T FAIL WITHOUT BALE
RYAN GIGGS has ordered Wales to improve their record without star men Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey – and go all out to “excite” him against Republic of Ireland.
The Manchester United legend will field a line-up depleted of Bale, back at Real Madrid nursing a minor injury, and Ramsey who is in London after his wife gave birth to twins.
Wales have won only three competitive games without Bale since his debut in 2006.
And since Ramsey emerged they’ve never been without both in a meaningful game, adding to the test they face in repeating last month’s 4-1 win over the Irish.
Boss Giggs said: “The job is to stop that record, prove people wrong. Make that record a bit better. It is not easy but we still have players who can make things happen.
“Any team will miss a player like Gareth. It has happened before and will in the future. I will give young players a chance. It is up to them to take it.
“Ireland won’t lie down and let you play football. You win your battles, individually and as a team, then you can pass the ball, take players on, excite me, excite the fans.
“I want them going back excited, liking what they have seen but you need to do the hard things first.”
“It’s not just about the young players. Experience can help when you have to tough it out for 90 minutes. It’s a balance. Young can inspire the older ones but the older ones have done it.”