Savage too hasty - Rush

Wales legend Ian Rush has claimed Robbie Savage should have made himself available to play for his country in an emergency.

Savage announced his retirement from the international game in acrimonious circumstances, minutes after being telephoned by new coach John Toshack and told he would not be in the squad for the forthcoming double-header with Austria.

While Rush refused to condemn Savage for the move, he does feel it has robbed his country of the opportunity to call on one of its senior players should the need arise.

There has never been any love lost between Toshack and Savage and most believe a major fall-out between the pair was inevitable.

And Rush, cutting his own managerial teeth in controversial circumstances at Chester, thinks it would have been better for all concerned if a private meeting had been arranged to thrash out any problems, allowing Savage to make a more diplomatic retreat.

“Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and clearly, I do not know all the facts,” said Rush, who will be part of the Liverpool Legends side in this Sunday’s Tsunami benefit match at Anfield, to be screened live on Sky One.

“But it would have been nice if they could have got round a table and had a chat about things, even if it only ended up with Robbie saying he would be available in an emergency.

“There are not many Premiership players in the Welsh squad, so if you are one of them, it is vital you are around.

“In Robbie’s case, it might only have been on a one-off basis but at least it shows you are committed to your country.”

Rush won 73 caps in a 16-year international career which encompassed the introduction of Ryan Giggs to the national side.

Like Rush, Giggs now seems certain to join the unhappy band of undoubted world class talents who never got the chance to show off their abilities on a major stage.

After being dumped out of the Euro 2004 play-offs by Russia, Wales have made a miserable start to their World Cup qualifying campaign and head into Saturday’s first meeting with the Austrians having collected just two points from their opening four games.

Giggs is set to be handed the honour of captaining his country this weekend as he celebrates the 50th appearance of an international career many have claimed the Manchester United man has never taken too seriously.

But Rush is adamant the critics have got it wrong and Giggs, who has now recovered from the broken nose he suffered on United duty in Milan earlier this month, is passionate about playing for Wales.

“People have always said Ryan never wants to play for Wales but he has 50 caps and that tells a story in itself.

“He loves Wales as much as anyone and is passionate about playing for Wales.

“He is a great lad and a world beater. When you have him in your side, if you can keep a clean sheet, there is always a chance he can either score or create a goal that will win you a game.”

Though he pulled out of the running to succeed Mark Hughes as national coach in October, Rush confirmed the desire to lead his country into action one day still burns bright.

At the time, the former Liverpool striker felt he needed to gain more experience at club level.

He has certainly got that, falling ut with Chester owner Stephen Vaughan over allegations he was demanding a hefty pay-off to leave the Deva Stadium.

Rush remains at Chester though and is hopeful of building on last weekend’s victory over Notts County with another win against Mansfield as the Blues look to ease their relegation fears.

Yet the ambition remains to take the Wales job at some stage in his career, although precisely when is a mystery even to the man himself.

“One day I would like to do it but it could be five years or it could be 15,” he said. “No-one knows in football.

“It is too soon for me to go into international management. Once I have got the experience I need at club level, then we will see what happens.

“If you ask anyone who has played for their country, they would like to manage them one day. But just now, the most important thing is being in charge of Chester City.”