Welsh need Giggs’ winning mentality

SKIPPER Ryan Giggs has spelt out the winning mentality that John Toshack wants him to pass on to his evolving Wales squad.

The Welsh were shattered at the weekend by the manner of their defeat in Dublin, and Toshack concedes he does not have enough winners like the Manchester United star in his ranks.

And ahead of tonight’s Euro 2008 qualifier with San Marino in Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium, Giggs underlined just what the Old Trafford mind-set is that has carried him through a glittering career.

“The possibility of a ninth championship personally hasn’t come into it for me, it doesn’t matter.

“When I finish playing I might just look at all the medals, but every medal I have won I have not looked at, they go into the club museum and they can stay there because they don’t mean anything to me. What means something is the next medal. Individual records don’t mean anything to me, they never have done.

“That’s the mind-set of Manchester United. It is what the manager there has instilled in me all my playing career. What matters to me is the next game and the next trophy.”

He added: “As for my role with Wales, I must get the lads up for the match, and make sure we are prepared and ready for that. Qualification is not over. We have San Marino twice, a lot of home games and the Czechs here in June. If we can get nine points going into next season then we are still in with a chance.”

Giggs also dismissed any questioning of his effort and approach.

“As a player you cannot save yourself for a particular game, you cannot turn it off and on, you can’t decide not to play well and say I’m saving myself for next week,” he continued.

“As for switching from United to Wales, I wouldn’t say I find it awkward, but it is different stepping into the Wales set-up. You go from having the majority of the ball, week in week out, to play in games when you are not going to get as much of the ball.”

Wales have been boosted by both Jason Koumas and Craig Bellamy being declared fit.

Toshack is expected to give Wycombe striker Jermaine Easter his first full game for Wales, as a likely strike partner with Bellamy. He will probably also play with just four defenders against the Group D minnows, with either James Collins or Lewin Nyatanga dropping to the bench.