Bale has got full package - Giggs

Ryan Giggs believes Manchester United target Gareth Bale has "got the lot" following the teenager's latest goalscoring display for Wales.

United ace Giggs finds himself acting as father figure these days to Wales' young guns, a job he has taken to with relish.

And the man who is on the brink of winning a record-breaking ninth league championship medal sees a similar hunger and drive from a youngster who could even become his team-mate next season if United win the £10million race for the Southampton wonder-kid's signature in the summer.

Bale scored another outstanding long-range goal for Wales against outclassed San Marino, his second in six games from left-back.

Giggs had already sidefooted Wales ahead before Bale's cracker, while Jason Koumas scored from the spot in the second-half.

And Giggs said of Bale: "Gareth scored a great goal, he has scored some spectacular ones already for Southampton, and now us. He has a great left foot and, along with Jason Koumas, was our best player.

"What you look for in a young player is not just ability, but temperament. There are lots of players with ability, but you need so much more to really make it.

"You need hunger and the desire to practice. You must have the right mental approach.

"At a young age, he looks like he has got all that. He must keep improving and I think he should be okay for a fine career."

Wales boss John Toshack is loath to praise youngsters too much, but even the 58-year-old finds it hard to contain his enthusiasm at the potential in the Cardiff-born youngster.

Toshack said: "At the moment, he is without doubt our first-choice left-back. He's only 17, but he has shot through the ranks and has really impressed.

"I try not to say too much about youngsters as they come through, but I know Southampton are very pleased with him - he has virtually played every minute of every game for them.

"We are also pleased when he is with us. He has come along very well. He will have setbacks, everyone does at his age, but - if he keeps going like he is - he will become a very tidy little player."

Pleased with Bale's contribution, Giggs was also confident enough to predict that Wales could make a late charge from a near-impossible position towards qualification.

He said: "We got the win we were all after. We could have scored six or more but it wasn't to be, but we got the points and we are hoping that this will give us momentum.

"We were pleased to score early. Thankfully, I got it and we were able to play with less tension after that.

"We could pass the ball, make chances and keep them pinned down knowing we had already got one goal.

"We were always going to win, but it is never easy against such opposition. They want the ball put in the air - we were trying to pass our way through.

"We need games to go for us now in the rest of the group, and second place is still open, even though the Irish and Czechs both won in midweek.

"As long as we have games in hand, and we have the Czechs and Irish both at home, we have a chance.

"If we can win those games, we will be in a good position. that is how we have to approach the rest of the group matches.

"We proved we could compete with the Czechs in the away game so we know what is possible. A little more luck and we could turn this group around.

"If we beat the Czechs here, it will give us a great boost. We need to win our home games and that one is make or break.

"Getting the points was the most important after losing in Dublin. It is how you react to defeats that is important, particularly for the younger lads.

"We have to keep moving forward." [Via]