Giggs to remain the Welsh wizard

Even before he donned the Welsh jersey for the first time, Ryan Giggs was forced to wear the label of the 'next George Best'. It was an intolerable burden to place upon teenage shoulders but it is a measure of both the player and the man that he withstood the pressures so well that many will anoint him as his country's finest ever player.

Final appearance
His countrymen dare not imagine a team from the principality taking to the field without their beloved number eleven. But that is the unpalatable prospect for manager John Toshack and his squad after Giggs' announcement that Saturday's UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifier against Czech Republic will be his 64th and final appearance on the international stage. The Manchester United FC legend is waving goodbye as another qualifying campaign appears to be heading for a disappointing conclusion for Wales and despite picking up a record ninth Premiership winners' medal this season, like Best he will always harbour regrets he was not able to strut his stuff in the finals of a major international competition.

Rejuvenated
It is to prolong his club career that Giggs has decided to make this his international swansong. At 33 he has been rejuvenated in a new central midfield role this season at Old Trafford, producing all his old tricks and guile to the extent that many observers claim he is playing better than ever. This is some claim considering he has been tearing past defenders for 16 years.

Debut goal
Giggs first displayed his talents for Wales in 1991 as a substitute against Germany in Nuremberg, back in the days when there was still a distinction between East and West Germany. To highlight his length of service, Gareth Bale, who will now assume the mantle of Wales' star name, was just two when Giggs made his international bow. He had to wait another 18 months for his first start however, but marked the occasion with a goal direct from a free-kick that will live long in the memory of all who were there.

Added pressure
Since Giggs has been his country's best performer and assumed extra responsibility when Toshack appointed him captain two years ago. Inevitably those selected to wear the red jersey alongside him struggled to reach the same high standards, placing him under far greater pressure than he ever experienced at Old Trafford, so much so that on occasion he was unable to live up to the Welsh public's expectations. Giggs' life was made all the more difficult on the pitch because, as the main dangerman, he would routinely find two markers blocking his way.

Prized asset
There were also those who, with his frequent absences from friendlies – he once missed 18 in succession – questioned his commitment to his country. But that was to ignore the influence of Sir Alex Ferguson who, particularly in his early days, was desperate to protect his prized asset for Manchester United's own benefit. What can be underlined now without any semblance of doubt is that Wales will appreciate what Giggs has done for them when he is no longer there.