Chris Coleman believes Wales will cope if the unthinkable happens this summer and Gareth Bale is not in France.
The Wales manager focused on the positive aspects of a 1-1 draw with Northern Ireland that came without both Bale and Aaron Ramsey.
In a Euro 2016 warm-up in Cardiff between two home nations bound for France, Michael O’Neill’s visitors led on the hour mark through Craig Cathcart’s finish after the Welsh had failed to deal with a short corner.
However, while the visitors equalled an all-time record in stretching their unbeaten run to nine games, Simon Church won and converted a penalty in stoppage time to deny Northern Ireland a first win over Wales since 1980.
For the hosts, missing their two star names due to injury, Coleman claimed the run-out was a worthwhile exercise.
“We worked hard; we found it difficult to break Northern Ireland down – they were very well organised, strong and experienced,” he said.
“We got what we wanted out of it. We didn’t lose, which was important because we were 1-0 down with five minutes to go. We got something out of the game.
“More importantly, for the stage we’re at going into the tournament, one or two of the lads got a bit more experience, they got a taste of it and that just makes the group that we’ve got, the strength in depth, a little bit bigger going into the summer.”
Without Bale, Ramsey and forward Hal Robson-Kanu, Coleman opted for Sam Vokes up front before introducing match-winner Church from the bench.
“The first questions people ask me at every international press conference are on Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey, I understand that,” Coleman added.
“Sam Vokes, Simon Church – they always do their best, are great guys to have in the dressing room and they’re playing well at the minute. We’ve got good options there and that’s pleasing.”
