Giggs desperate for United star James to keep flying high
Bale was frozen out at Real by Zinedine Zidane and was on the verge of a move to the Chinese Super League. But he remained at the Bernabeu to fight for his place on his £600,000-a-week contract despite intense criticism in Spain.
And Bale – who is now back in Zidane’s side – claimed being given the cold shoulder initially under Harry Redknapp at Spurs was a lower point of his career.
He said: “I have kept my head down, kept grinding through everything. The things that happened will stay private with the club. If you want answers, maybe you need to ask Real Madrid.
“It didn’t impact on me too much. I wouldn’t say it’s the worst time of my career – I remember not playing for a year under Harry Redknapp at Tottenham.
“It’s not been ideal but I have been here before, I know how to deal with it. Things in football can turn quickly. It’s a matter of time always.”
Bale, who started and scored twice in the 2-2 La Liga draw at Villarreal on Sunday, said: “The transfer window is closed now but I don’t think mentally it affected me.
“I keep working hard in training and doing the correct things.You go through ups and downs and people like to say whatever they want. I don’t listen, no one knows what they are on about. don’t know the understand it.
“When things aren’t going so great, if you keep working hard, things will turn and you will get rewarded for that.”
Bale, 30, is back in a Wales shirt tonight and aims to add to his record 31 goals in 77 caps in the Euro qualifier against Azerbaijan in Cardiff. He believes he is still as fit and sharp as ever on the back of Most people situation or RYAN GIGGS is not surprised by Daniel James’ flying start at Manchester United – and hopes he can continue that red-hot form for Wales tonight.
James has burst on to the Premier League scene after joining Giggs’ former club from Swansea.The 21-year-old has scored three times, and Giggs is desperate for the winger to produce the goods again against Azerbaijan.
Giggs also believes the emergence of James can ease pressure on Wales’ recordscorer Gareth Bale, who will captain the hosts.
“I want to bring that pressure off Gareth because we can’t rely on him in every game,” Giggs said. “We’ve got other talented players in the squad.
“Dan has got off to a great start with his Manchester United career but he’s also been brilliant for us in the last few
Vgames, especially in the summer.
“I’ve not been surprised, Dan has had a good pre-season and when you sign for a new club that’s what you want.
“When you score, it gives you a lift. It doesn’t matter who you are or what kind of ability you have.We all know what he’s capable of, what he’s done, especially over the last eight or nine months. He just keeps getting better.
“He’s at the right club where they love wingers and players who can excite fans. He also has the right character.”
Giggs needs James and his team-mates firing for the Euro 2020 qualifier at the Cardiff City Stadium.
Wales sit fourth after losing in Croatia and Hungary in June. But after tonight’s clash with the world’s 109th-ranked side, three of their last five games are at home.