Gareth Bale paid tribute to his Wales teammates after breaking Ian Rush’s record with a hat-trick to become his country’s leading goalscorer. The landmark was reached by Bale with three goals as Ryan Giggs made a dream start his spell as manager with a 6-0 victory at the China Cup in Nanning. Bale began the game on 26 international goals – two behind Rush’s record of 28 – but three goals edged him past the former Liverpool legend to set a new mark in Welsh football history of 29 international goals.

Ryan Giggs is determined to promote young talent in his new role as Wales manager after playing his part in the rise of Marcus Rashford. Giggs was assistant manager at Manchester United when Rashford was handed his debut as an 18-year-old in a 2016 Europa League tie against Danish club Midtjylland. Rashford scored twice after replacing Anthony Martial, who had been injured in the warm-up, and has gone on to star for United and England — and Giggs insists he is keen to give youngsters opportunities on his Wales watch.

Rabbi Matondo, the Welsh whizz kid who plays for Manchester City, will happily go right, left or centre. The right-sided speed king, who has plenty of tricks to go with his pace, was born in Liverpool and played for England at under-15 level, but switched to Wales after playing for the Cardiff City Academy. Merton […]

Sheffield United and Wales star David Brooks says it was always his intention to play for the land of his mother, despite starring for England in last year’s Toulon Under 20s tournament. Brooks is in line part of Ryan Giggs’ first senior squad when the new manager names his squad on Thursday for the forthcoming China Cup, where Wales will play two matches. Only six months before making his senior international debut for Wales against France last November, 20-year-old Warrington-born winger Brooks was on international duty for the Three Lions, picking up the Best Player award and making the team of the tournament as England went on to win the competition.

Ashley Williams’ dip in form for Everton this season does not pose a problem for Wales, according to former Wales striker John Hartson. Williams has come in for some fierce flak from Toffees supporters after a series of under-par performances, which culminated in a red card aginst Burnley last Saturday for throwing an elbow. However, Hartson, who will be appearing on S4C’s Mwy o Sgorio football chat show at 6.30pm on Wednesday evening, says that Williams has the character to bounce back into form.

Neil Warnock has backed Craig Bellamy’s bid to start his managerial career at Oxford United. Cardiff City boss Warnock would be losing one of his own management team should Bellamy decide to leave his current role as player development manager at his former club. But Warnock- whose team extended the gap between themselves in second spot and the chasing clubs in the Championship play-off places to four points on Wednesday night with a 1-0 win at Ipswich – thinks the time is right for Bellamy to fly the nest.

Ryan Giggs is expected to be named as the new Wales manager by the FAW on Monday afternoon. The governing body have called a press conference for 2.00pm where it is understood the former Manchester United star will be unveiled as the successor to Chris Coleman. Giggs was one of four candidates interviewed last week, along with Coleman’s former assistant Osian Roberts, Craig Bellamy and Mark Bowen.

Ryan Giggs has become a stronger favourite to succeed Chris Coleman as Wales manager following interviews for the job conducted by the FAW. Giggs’ odds with the bookmakers have shortened after the former Manchester United star put his case to a selection panel on Friday, along with fellow candidates Osian Roberts, Craig Bellamy and late contender Mark Bowen. The FAW is expected to make their choice within days for a post that has been vacant since Coleman left for Sunderland.

Wales international Declan John is staying in Scotland. Merthyr Tydfil-born John, 22, has been playing for Rangers on loan from Cardiff City and he has made the deal permanent. John moved to Scottish Premiership team Rangers last summer and has scored two goals in 12 appearances. Manager Pedro Caixinha has worked closely with John to […]

Jonathan Ford’s clash with the Football Association of Wales could delay the appointment of the next Wales manager. FAW officials had hoped to start an interview process at the start of January in their search for a successor to Chris Coleman. But with chief executive Ford now facing a disciplinary panel over his comments regarding candidates’ nationalities, the search for a new team boss could be postponed.

Craig Reddy has joined Merthyr Town’s battle to survive the 2017-18 season. The Martyrs, a semi-professional Southern League Premier Division club, are facing a financial crisis and players who have stayed with the club are turning out for nothing. Manager Gavin Williams was without injured players Kyle Patten and Corey Jenkins for their match against […]

Sion Spence, Cardiff City’s goalscoring midfield player, is in a rich vein of form for the Bluebirds. Barry-born Spence, 17, has scored 12 goals for Craig Bellamy’s youth Academy under-18 team including a hat-trick against Millwall in their latest fixture. The pity was that his treble strike did not earn Cardiff victory because hosts Millwall […]