I’LL TAKE THE HEAT OFF BALE
Johnson hopes his red-hot scoring form can ease the burden on the Welsh talisman at the World Cup
BRENNAN JOHNSON aims to ease the burden on Wales’ record goalscorer Gareth Bale after continuing his red-hot form.
Johnson scored for Wales for the second successive game with a superb finish in their 3-2 loss in Holland.
It was his 64th game of a memorable season that included 19 goals to help fire Nottingham Forest to promotion via the play-offs.
He now has the Premier League and a trip to the World Cup in November to relish next season. Wales were pipped in the end in Rotterdam despite skipper Bale’s penalty levelling the game in stoppage time.
But 21-year-old Johnson is now pushing to start in Qatar as well as providing hope for Wales’ future when captain Bale, who turns 33 next month, retires.
Johnson said: “I always want to score goals. If that takes a bit of pressure off him (Bale) then I am happy to do so.
“But also the boys like Aaron Ramsey and Harry Wilson, they can all chip in with goals as well and have shown it in the past. Having a wider spread of goalscorers is going to be a massive boost for us.”
Johnson latched on to a fine through ball by Fulham’s Wilson (above, with Bale) before scoring with an impressive low first-time rightfoot finish. It was a reward for Johnson’s growing understanding with Wilson, who again stood out in an advanced central midfield role.
Johnson added: “Harry got his head up and when he does that I know he can put quality balls through.
“He put one through to me and I knew it was going to be a tight gap but I just put it in the bottom corner. I work on loads of types of different finishes.
“I am starting to understand Harry’s game more. I know after watching at Fulham, where he had a great season, the passes and movements he likes to do. I try to work with him.
“I am adapting from club football to international football. There are some things the manager wants me to do slightly different for Wales.”
Bale only came on as a sub in Holland but confidently despatched his penalty. Boss Page said: “I fully expected him to step up and score the penalty.
“It was no surprise for me, he is a strong character. He has shown that time and again.
“He is one short of 40 goals and it would be lovely to see him break through that in Qatar or sooner as we have two games in September.
“He still has a massive part to play for us, there is still a lot more to come from him. It is great when you have your best players and Brennan is also showing his worth.
“Brennan is growing game by game and has a bright future.”