Ryan Giggs is back for Wales pep talk

Feb 6 2008 by Paul Abbandonato, Western Mail

RYAN GIGGS will give John Toshack’s players a special pep talk ahead of tonight’s friendly against Norway, the first time he has spoken to them as a group since suddenly quitting as Wales captain last year.

Giggs and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will attend the match at Wrexham’s Racecourse to run the rule over players for their Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson.

Giggs will go into the dressing room before the game to encourage Toshack’s young guns and congratulate them on encouraging performances since he finished as skipper.

Wales go into tonight’s clash on the back of a run of form which reads: Played 13, Won 6, Drawn 4, Lost 3.

Seven of those games came after Giggs retired from international football, including impressive wins in Slovakia and Bulgaria and commendable draws in Germany and at home to the Republic of Ireland.

The one real blot, which enraged Toshack, was the 3-1 defeat in Cyprus when he lambasted some of his players for their attitude and commitment.

Toshack’s harsh words had an impact because Wales have been unbeaten since and Giggs will urge his former team-mates to keep the run going through to the World Cup qualifiers, which start in September.

Giggs, 33, says he has no regrets about quitting Wales, knowing his form for United in the Premiership and Champions League is as a result of resting during international breaks.

“I still watch Wales’ results closely and cheer for them as loudly as anyone,” said Giggs.