Giggs Takes Off Pressure From Bale

By Joshua Walters

Wales manager Ryan Giggs is aiming to build an all-round Welsh team as he seeks to take pressure off star-man, Gareth Bale.

Giggs acknowledges the 'exceptional' qualities of the Real Madrid forward, but also think that he risks putting the team in an uncomfortable situation in the event that the player is unavailable for games.

Wales have doubleheader games in the current international break, Trinidad & Tobago in a friendly ahead of an Euro 2020 qualifying game against  Slovakia at Cardiff on Sunday. 

Giggs is not willing to start Bale in the Dragons' friendly fixture despite the latter being the star-man of the side, and explains that he wants to give other players the chance to show their worth as well. 

“Usually when Gareth scores he goes on a run, so that’s good for us,” says he Welsh coach. “We all know what a talent he is, and if he plays games he’ll score goals.

“But also I want to take the pressure off him at the same time, so if he’s not available we’re not just reliant on one player.”

“With the emergence of Harry Wilson, David Brooks and Dan James we’ve got so many attacking options.

“That’s what I want. But you have to recognise that you’ve got a special player, one of the best in the world, and play to his strengths also.

“The Trinidad & Tobago game will be a balancing act as players are at different stages.

“Some players need games, some players don’t. But I’ve challenged those that will play to impress because there are still places up for grabs on Sunday.”

The former Tottenham Hotspur player has scored thirty-one goals for Wales in forty-seven appearances, having made his national team debut at the end of the 2005–06 season in a friendly against Trinidad and Tobago on 27 May 2006.