Gareth Bale has overtaken Ryan Giggs in the list of Welsh greats and can lead the country to glory at Euro 2016, says former Wales striker Iwan Roberts.
Bale was named Welsh player of the year for a record fifth time on Monday after his six goals put Chris Coleman's side on the cusp of their first major tournament since 1958.
Wales need just a point from their remaining two qualifying games against Bosnia and Herzegovina and Andorra to complete a remarkable campaign, which has seen them go unbeaten in eight Group B games so far.
Bale has played every fixture, scoring match-winning goals against Andorra, Belgium and Cyprus, and Roberts, who won 15 caps for Wales, believes the Real Madrid star has now jumped above Giggs in the pecking order.
"He's emulated and probably even overtaken Ryan Giggs if I'm honest," said Roberts, who was speaking at the filming of the Vauxhall Home Nations Football Show.
"He's had more of an impact already than Giggs did. Ever since he first played with Wales, you could see the passion he has.
"He's up there with the greats. He's 26 and he's only going to get better and hopefully he can achieve more with Wales by taking us to a World Cup."
Wales are currently the fifth highest European nation in the FIFA World Rankings and have taken four points off Belgium, ranked third, in their group.
Bale's brilliance would strike fear into opposition in France next year and Roberts believes the forward could inspire Wales in the way Diego Maradona led Argentina to World Cup success in 1986.
"Can he be like what Maradona was for Argentina? I think he can, he can be that guy for Wales," Roberts said.
"He's capable of winning games on his own, every nation would love a Gareth Bale in their side and we can go there and cause an upset.
"If you look back in history and see how the Danish won it in 1992 and then obviously Greece, who won it in 2000.
"We've got quite a bit more flair than Greece did but when you're as solid defensively as we are and you have the attacking flair of Bale and Aaron Ramsey, you've definitely got a chance."
England have already suffered at the hands of Wales in one major tournament this year, after a crushing defeat at the Rugby World Cup, and Roberts admits Welsh fans would relish the chance complete the double over their neighbours next summer.
"I wouldn't be afraid of England," Roberts said.
"It would be an unbelievable occasion and I wouldn't be surprised if Wales were favourites.
"I think they would be more anxious of playing Wales and Gareth Bale than we would be facing them.
"We could knock them out of two major tournaments in 12 months, that would be terrible wouldn't it? I would hate that to happen!"
Source: PA
