A New Breed of Welsh Football?
Wales’ record goalscorer Ian Rush also believes that his career goals tally is under threat. The former Liverpool and Juventus star thinks that his record of 28 goals could be overtaken by both Real Madrid’s Gareth Bale and Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsey. Bale has scored 14 times in his 48 games in a Wales shirt, while Ramsey has netted 8 goals so far in his international career.
Gareth Bale has been in fine form for Wales, transforming a fairly disappointing record of just 3 goals in his first 29 games, by scoring 11 goals in his last 19 appearances. Bale’s two goals against Andorra also underlined why Real paid Spurs a world record £85m for his services, as his two strikes rescued his side from an embarrassing result against one of international football’s true minnows. Aaron Ramsey’s international appearances have been restricted recently due to injury, and it’s vital he remains fit if Wales are to make a major breakthrough at tournament level.
Rush believes that, because both Bale and Ramsey are still young, and that there’s more international games now, it’s inevitable that his record will be passed. To underline his point, Rush’s 28 goals were spread over 16 years, as his international career lasted from 1980 to 1996.
Former Everton and Wales great Neville Southall thinks that Wales should qualify for the 2016 European Championships, which will be held in France. Arguably the greatest goalkeeper ever to play for Wales, Southall claims that the qualifying group Wales are in is the “weakest” that his country has been in for many years.
Southall was also full of praise for Gareth Bale, who he likened to Ryan Giggs in terms of ability. Southall hopes, too, that two outstanding talents such as Bale and Aaron Ramsey will inspire more young Welsh talent to emerge in the coming years.
