Source: SKY_Sports
Bruce hails 'superstar' Giggs
Steve Bruce revealed that he knew Ryan Giggs was going to be a 'superstar' the first time he saw him play as a 14-year-old.
The Sunderland manager played alongside Giggs for five-and-a-half years at Manchester United but it is what the Welshman has gone on to achieve after Bruce left the club in 1996 that has propelled him alongside the all-time greats of the club.
Bruce takes his side to Old Trafford on Saturday and knows he must try and shackle an in-form and evergreen Giggs if he is take anything away from the game.
However, with Sir Alex Ferguson opting to pick and choose the games the winger plays in Giggs could find himself benched for the visit of the Black Cats especially considering he played the full 90 minutes against Wolfsburg on Wednesday.
"He was the only one I could ever see, hand on heart, and say 'he is going to be a superstar' because it was effortless for him even as a 14 or 15-year-old," Bruce said.
"He was playing with us in training sessions and I remember him murdering Viv Anderson in one particular training session when he was a kid at 15 and Viv was England's right-back.
"He was such a natural runner, such a natural mover, such a wonderful dribbler with the ball.
"It was all so easy for him, so natural. It made him the outstanding player. But there's also the mentality thing.
"To go and do what he has done from being a boy is nothing short of remarkable."
Giggs is currently United's record appearance maker while his goal against Wolfsburg in the UEFA Champions League was his 150th strike for the club.
With 11 Premier League titles and two Champions Leagues amongst his winners medals Bruce admits that his achievements are 'staggering'.
"He was man of the match again last night at 35," he added.
"Sometimes we use the word 'great' too often, but when he has hung up his boots and you think of the achievements of Ryan Giggs and what he has done over the last 17 or 18 years, it's nothing short of staggering.
"The superlatives have all been said about him, but he is and has been a truly great, great player who we have all enjoyed watching.
"The way he has conducted and handled himself and his desire still at his age to be the best player is nothing short of incredible.
"He is a fantastic player."
