Wales manager Chris Coleman has promised to rest players for their closing Euro 2016 qualifier against Andorra tonight after the emotional and physical energy spent in Bosnia-Herzegovina last weekend.
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The Dons frontman made a six minute cameo at the end of the game, where he replaced Reading forward Hal Robson-Kanu.
Bosnia coach Mehmed Bazdarevic was delighted with the result which moved his side into the play-off place in the group, but he praised Wales for their performance.
It’ll be the first time in 58 years – since 1958 that Wales will play in a major competition and the current squad of players will go down in history.
Wales will finish their campaign against group minnows Andorra on Tuesday night with Welsh football preparing for its biggest ever party.
Italy made certain of a top-two place in Group H with a match to spare by beating Azerbaijan 3-1 in Baku.
“We’ve got a talented bunch coming through, so we want to maintain it”.
The Welsh, who celebrated with several hundred travelling fans, host bottom team Andorra in their final match while Bosnia will seal a playoff berth if they beat Cyprus on 13 October.
“He’s definitely in our minds at all time when we play for Wales”, said the Swansea defender.
Bale has won the Champions League, Copa del Rey and the Super Cup since joining Real from Tottenham in the summer of 2013 for a world record £85.3 million fee.
“Because the game was how it was it’ll take a bit of time to sink in, but everyone is over the moon”. “I kind of know how to do it but that is a conversation with the powers that be”.
Manager Chris Coleman echoed his sentiments and believes the tactical approach that has served Wales so well during this campaign – with a disciplined defence soaking up pressure and allowed the likes of Gareth Bale and Ramsey to strike quickly on the break – will do so again next summer.
“They did not come as a tourist, but to play well and pose us problems I would like to congratulate them on qualifying for the European Championship”, Bazdarevic said. “I just keep looking at the table and it’s always nice to see, but I’ve never seen Wales spelled with a “Q” in it!”
He further states, “It was a hard game, but we have done it and everyone is very happy”. I got myself involved in a sticky position really.
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After the full-time whistle had blown, former teammate Robbie Savage took to Twitter to say: “Let’s not forget the legend Gary Speed who put the belief back into our nation”.
