Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Giggs reckons ‘great things to come’ after Wales qualify for Euros
RYAN Giggs believes qualifying for Euro 2020 marks a bright start for Welsh football.
Aaron Ramsey scored twice as Wales beat Hungary 2-0 in Cardiff to reach their second successive European Championship.
Wales made the semifinals at Euro 2016 – their first major tournament for 58 years – but followed that up by failing to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Giggs succeeded Chris Coleman after that failed campaign and has fast-tracked young talent into the senior squad to complement established players such as Ramsey, skipper Gareth Bale, Joe Allen and Ben Davies.
“This is just the beginning,” Giggs said.
“We have seen a lot of young players over the last 18 months, and they can get better.
“It probably hasn’t sunk in yet. The players can get better with the help of the more experienced lads.”
Giggs was an unpopular choice to succeed Coleman among many Wales supporters given his international record as a player.
The former Manchester United winger is one of the greatest players ever to represent Wales but his poor attendance record for international duty turned many fans against him.
The 45-year-old was also heavily criticised over tactics and selection during summer defeats to Croatia and Hungary which left Wales’s qualification hopes in the balance.
Asked if he had won over sceptics, Giggs said: “I hope so. I’m struggling if it hasn’t!
“It is one of the greatest nights of my life.
“I set out to quality for a major championship, but more than that, to leave Welsh football in a better state than when I took over.”