Fear of failure the driving force for inspirational Giggs

RYAN GIGGS led his Wales troops into Dublin yesterday insisting that the fear of failure is the driving force in his career.

The Manchester United ace might be on the brink of creating history by claiming a ninth championship medal — beating the record of eight held by Liverpool’s Phil Neal – but being captain of Wales just reinforces his desire to add more achievement to an amazing career.

He will skipper the Welsh at Croke Park tomorrow knowing that international achievement is still eluding him. Giggs and Wales know that if they fail here in front of 82,000 fans against the Republic of Ireland their chances of reaching the finals in Austria and Switzerland next year are over.

For Wales boss John Toshack this is “the pivotal match” in Wales’s bid to reach only the second major finals in their history and he is just glad Giggs is there to lead the challenge.

Toshack had to be concerned about Manchester United’s use of Giggs in two matches last weekend in three daysbut he said: “Ryan got to us unscathed, he has done very little training, just one run-out so far, but he is bright and happy about things and looking forward to the match and the occasion.

“He wants to play in the game, and he will lead the team in Dublin.”

And Giggs knows he must put aside United’s quest for a treble of English title, FA Cup and Champions League, and concentrate on his duties for his country, with few people believing he will ever get the chance to grace a major international finals. But that fear of failure, at 33, is the driving inspiration for the Cardiff-born star.

He said: “I hate to fail at anything I do. That is what drives me on to the next game, the next season, the next trophy – I just don’t want to fail.”

Few can doubt Giggs’ club achievements or his desire to do something to boost his nation. He says: “We (United) have not won the Champions League since 1999. And you only have to look at the FA Cup, that drives us as players and a club because we want to be the first club to lift the cup at the new Wembley.

“It’s things like that which keep the edge to your game. As a player you need new challenges, and I’m very proud of what I and the club have done. But we have not won the Premiership for the last three years and that in particular is a massive motivation.”

The one flaw in Giggs’s record is a failure to achieve anything with such a small nation as Wales. Even against Ireland, the hosts can field a complete Premiership side while Wales will have on parade at Croke Park just Giggs, James Collins, Simon Davies and Craig Bellamy who are playing in the top flight.

Giggs says: “I have never lost the belief I can play in a major finals for Wales. I know time is running out, but I will try my very best to the last.”

Wales have no new injury worries, and have released youngsters Arron Davies (Yeovil) and David Edwards (Shrewsbury) to return to their clubs for weekend matches.