Toshack: Bale must go with his gut reaction

WALES BOSS John Toshack has advised Gareth Bale to “go with your gut reaction” in deciding which big-money move the teenager should take.

Bale, still only 17, became Wales youngest international debutant and goalscorer under Toshack earlier this season, and is in the middle of a £10m tug of war between Manchester United, Arsenal and Tottenham for his signature.

It is a critical time in the Southampton youngster’s career, and Toshack can only sit and wait for the decision as he prepares to give Bale his fifth cap against Northern Ireland in Belfast on February 6.

“He will be a very important player for us for several years to come,” said 57-year-old Toshack.

“Gareth will no doubt talk to several clubs, it will be up to him and you wouldn’t want to fill his head with too much.

“You get a gut feeling about the right club, I knew with Liverpool and I am sure Gareth will have his preference by now.”

Toshack added: “His rise has certainly been meteoric. He had barely played a couple of games for Southampton when we called him in for our two games against the Basques and Trinidad at the end of last season.

“You can understand big clubs haggling over him because he is very special for someone so young. He’s not 18 yet and you wonder just how much he will be worth in five or six years time. There is no doubt he has all the attributes to make it to the top.”