Welsh prepare to show strength amid Bale scrum

Sports Writer

Friday 22 March 2013

THE Welsh squad arrived at Hampden yesterday armed with grandiose aspirations of building on the sporting momentum generated by their rugby counterparts in the RBS 6 Nations.

'Gareth has had people playing him physically before'

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Stewart Fisher

It was appropriate, then, that Chris Coleman should also take the opportunity to kick into touch John Brown's typically earthy assertion that a bit of rucking and mauling could be a legitimate Scotland tactic to shackle Gareth Bale this evening.

The condition of the Tottenham Hotspur attacker, as he battles illness and injury, has been a source of huge intrigue ahead of tonight's World Cup qualifier but, ahead of yesterday's training session at Hampden, the Welsh manager agreed with Gordon Strachan that the game has moved on in a manner which makes an overly physical approach impossible. He also drew a rather unflattering comparison between the Dundee manager and Neanderthal man in light of the threat from Brown that the 23-year-old couldn't "run without legs".Tonight's referee, Antony Gautier of France, has a reputation as a hardliner, and Coleman fully expects him to crack down on any indiscipline. "I'm happy if they want to do that and we're playing against eight or nine, because there is only so many times you can do that these days before you're off the pitch," Coleman said. "Twenty five years ago, in my day, fair enough. But the game has evolved since and it's Neanderthal to think like that."In what is sure to be a fiercely contested British-style derby, the idea that the Welsh will somehow be shrinking violets in this whole process appears equally far-fetched. One glance at captain Ashley Williams, a man who in addition to his undoubted footballing ability risked the wrath of Sir Alex Ferguson by driving a clearance full force into the face of the prone Robin van Persie, tells the tale. "I am sure Gareth has had people playing him physically before," said Williams. "He knows how to handle himself. He is a big, physical boy and I am sure he is not worried about that. It will just be another game for him." For all this mildly disrespectful hype and hysteria over Bale, Wales have always sworn they are more than just a one-man team and, should the Tottenham player's condition have worsened overnight, they may still have a chance to prove precisely that. Craig Bellamy and Aaron Ramsey are just two other renowned talents which Scotland have to worry about, and they can benefit from some insider knowledge in from both Celtic midfielder Joe Ledley and assistant manager John Hartson. "I don't keep talking about Gareth, you lot do," said Coleman. "I don't blame you, look at what he has done, but he gets treated no different to the others."Williams added: "It's not just about Gareth Bale, although I believe he's a world-class player. But we have other weapons and, hopefully, we can show that and prove we're a good side."In addition to the controversy around Brown's remarks, the tone has been set by Mickey Thomas' dismissal of this Scotland squad as the worst in history. Coleman, a one-time media colleague of Strachan's, understands how the game works but would rather his compatriot had not bothered. "He didn't make our life any easier," said Coleman. "But that is up to Mickey. "We had a great game against Scotland in Cardiff. And at the time myself and Craig [Levein] were under pressure. Things were being said about me, my job was on the line. With 10 minutes to go it was all Scotland, 1-0 to Scotland, they were going to win and then, two bits of magic, we win the game. It was back and forward, end-to-end, chances. So I think it is a big statement to make. I know Mickey, he is a good fellow. I know he is paid to give an opinion. But I would disagree."Scotland have got points to play for, so do we. It is Hampden Park, there will be a great atmosphere. If you look at this Scotland team, most play top-level football. There are no Kenny Dalglishes and Graeme Sounesses but it is still a good team with a new manager and a good manager."The Welsh footballers do not mix frequently with the rugby crowd, who beat Scotland at Murrayfield en route to being crowned Six Nations champions last Saturday, but they are a source of inspiration. "Everybody is still buzzing after the rugby," said Williams. "It is a massive sport in Wales and it was a great day for everyone concerned. The Welsh public enjoyed it I am sure and we just want to keep it going. Swansea have had a good season, Cardiff are top of the league and the rugby had a good result the other day, so it would be nice if we could carry that on." Both sides haven't quite given up on their ambitions of World Cup qualifying, but priority for Scotland is avoiding the wooden spoon.

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Welsh prepare to show strength amid Bale scrum

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