Bale: We'll tackle England head on

23 March 2011 16:00

Wales winger Gareth Bale has vowed to take the game to England at the Millennium Stadium this weekend.

The exciting Tottenham star is convinced the Welsh have the firepower to trouble their neighbours in Saturday's eagerly-awaited Euro 2012 qualifier. After losing their first three matches, Wales' hopes of qualification are slim but that has done little to dampen enthusiasm for the sell-out clash in the principality.

Bale said: "It is a massive game - it is a local derby in international terms. It is something we are all looking forward to. We are not going to go into the game trying to defend. We are going to give it our best shot and we have nothing to lose."

He added: "We need to win this game, especially in this qualifying campaign and against the English. I think it would boost us as a team and Welsh football in general.

"I think we have got every chance. We have got great young players and a good mix of experience and youth."

Bale, 21, is the biggest star in Welsh football - with the arguable exception of Ryan Giggs, who has retired from international football - after an outstanding past year for Spurs.

The youngster has been linked with some of Europe's biggest clubs and playing in front of full houses on the grandest of stages seems his destiny.

He has already excelled at the San Siro against Inter Milan and Spurs will visit Real Madrid's Bernabeu Stadium next month. Big crowds on the international stage, however, are something he has experienced little of in his 27-cap career to date.

That will change on Saturday with 74,500 expected for the visit of rivals England. It is a considerable increase on the 18,800 that attended Wales' last home international against Bulgaria at the Cardiff City Stadium last October.

Bale said: "It will be a great atmosphere on the weekend, playing against England is something special. I think the fans will be up for it just because it is against England. To get 75,000 every time we play at the Millennium Stadium would be a great help to the team."

Source: PA