BALE CAN SMASH RECORD – RUSHIE

WELSH legend Ian Rush has backed star of the moment Gareth Bale to smash his Wales goals record.

Bale, who yesterday celebrated his 27th birthday, has already fired 22 goals in 61 international appearances and ‘Rushie’ reckons there is still a glut to come.

Rush tops the Wales charts with 28 strikes from 73 Wales games, but says he will be the first to congratulate Bale when the record goes. Bale (pictured) was on fire during Euro 2016, scoring in Wales’ first three matches against Slovakia, England and Russia. He will look to carry on the goal streak when the World Cup qualifiers come around in the autumn, with Moldova first up for Chris Coleman’s Euro semi-finalists in Cardiff. “People say to me ‘You don’t want anyone to break your record, do you?’ That’s rubbish. I really want Gareth to do it,” said Rush.

“I can hardly grumble too much about the world’s most expensive footballer overtaking my tally, can I?”

Rush also leads the way on the Liverpool goal list, with an incredible tally of 346 strikes from 660 games. No-one comes close to that landmark figure, with 1960s striker Roger Hunt next on 286 goals.

“I think I can probably say my Liverpool record won’t be broken while I’m still around... but that certainly won’t be the case with the Wales one,” said Rush.

“When it happens, I will be the first to shake Gareth by the hand and con- gratulate him.”

Bale’s Wales team-mate Joe Allen was yesterday linked with a potential shock £20m move to Manchester United.

Allen seems likely to leave Liverpool with home-town club Swansea, Celtic, Stoke, West Ham and Sevilla all chasing his services.

It was yesterday reported that Jose Mourinho is also keen to take Allen to Old Trafford as part of his United revolution.

However, that seems highly unlikely to come off as no player has moved directly from Liverpool to Manchester United since Allenby Chilton in November 1938.

FULL RUSH INTERVIEW: Pages 56&57