Ryan Giggs feels there's more to come from Wales

July 7, 2016
Posted by Steven Tan | Source from ESPNFC
Ryan Giggs believes Wales' historic European Championship campaign is the start of something special for Chris Coleman's side and has tipped Gareth Bale to break Ian Rush's Welsh goal-scoring record.
 
Quick-fire goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani were enough to end Wales' Euro 2016 run and send Portugal through to Sunday's final with a 2-0 semifinal win.
 
However, Giggs -- who made 68 appearances for Wales -- remains positive about his nation's performance and has heaped praise on winger Bale.
 
The former Manchester United midfielder believes Real Madrid star Bale, who has scored 22 goals for his country in 61 appearances, will go on to eclipse Liverpool legend Rush's mark of 28 for his country.
 
"You can only say good things about this Wales side, what they've achieved, what they've done in this tournament," Giggs told ITV. "It's the end of the tournament, but I think it's the beginning of Welsh football.
 
"They didn't play well, but you have to give credit to Portugal, the amount of times they've got to semifinals, they've got good players and they made it difficult. We could have played better, but credit to Portugal.
 
"Bale is the best player and a lot of pressure comes with that, but he handled it brilliantly. I expect him to break Ian Rush's goal-scoring record, which when I was playing I thought nobody would get near."
 
Former Wales forward Craig Bellamy echoed Giggs' thoughts, but felt that Wales missed suspended midfielder Aaron Ramsey.
 
"It's been a great tournament, it really has and Ryan's exactly right, this is the beginning for this team," Bellamy said.
 
"I feel there's a couple more tournaments for this team. Maybe we won't see another semifinal, but there's a lot of excitement to come from this team.
 
"We probably understated how important Ramsey was before the match, the effect he has on this team. It was evident today, it really, really was.
 
"We were waiting for something to happen in the game, then the first goal went in and then I thought we could take the game to them like we did against Belgium. But unfortunately for us they scored the second."
 
Wales' next international game will come against Moldova in Cardiff on Sep 5, while Portugal head to Paris for Sunday's final against either world champions Germany or tournament hosts France.
 
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