Charlie Adam admits Scotland must find a way to subdue Wales star Gareth Bale as he prepares to lock horns with his old rival in Friday's World Cup qualifier in Cardiff.
Adam has given Bale a rough ride with some ugly challenges in previous encounters and Tottenham winger branded the Scot a coward after being injured when they clashed during a pre-season friendly against Liverpool earlier this year.
Adam, who has since joined Stoke, had also angered Bale during his time at Blackpool, when his challenge left the Spurs player sidelined for three months with ankle ligament damage in 2011.
But, despite their differences, Adam remains a firm admirer of Bale's skills and believes it is essential to nullify his threat if Scotland are to claim three points at the Cardiff City Stadium.
"He is a top player and if we can stop him it will probably enhance our performance and probably our chances of winning the game," Adam said on Tuesday.
"Bale is good and quick, but I don't think they are a one-man team. They have a number of players, like we have, who can win the game on their day.
However, Adam would be quite happy not to clash with Bale on Friday and he rejected the suggestion that he might be the best man to take care of the Welshman.
"Nope - because he will not be playing on my side," Adam said. "Whoever plays at right-back or left back will deal with him.
"What has happened in the past has happened in the past, the most important thing is playing for Scotland and getting a result."
Wales go into the game on the back of a demoralising 6-1 thrashing in Serbia which followed a 2-0 home defeat to Belgium in their Group A opener.
Under-fire manager Chris Coleman, who has lost all four games since taking over from the late Gary Speed, subsequently took the captaincy away from 21-year-old Arsenal midfielder Ramsey and gave it to Swansea defender Ashley Williams.
Adam still expects a tough game, especially given the local derby nature of the fixture.
"Are they in turmoil really? I don't think they are. They have good players," he said.
"Results are difficult at this level. The games they have had have been tough games.!
Source: AFP
