Giggs to quit international game

Premier League / Editor / 30 May 2007 / Leave a Comment

Ryan Giggs is set to announce that Wales' Euro 2008 qualifier against the Czech Republic on Saturday will be his last international appearance.

The 33-year-old will call time on a 16-year international career after the clash at the Millennium Stadium where he is expected to earn his 64th cap.

Giggs has made the decision after seeing Paul Scholes' club form benefit from his England retirement three years ago and with competition for places in United's midfield hotter than ever next season.

The Welsh FA leaked the news of Giggs' retirement to boost ticket sales for the game.

An FA of Wales source said: "Maybe Ryan has come to accept that the chances of qualification for Euro 2008 are all but gone.

"It is a great shame, he has been an outstanding servant to Welsh football and since being made captain under Tosh (coach John Toshack), he has been a major influence on the young players."

Giggs made his international debut at the age of 17, becoming the youngest-ever player to represent Wales, but has also attracted criticism because he missed friendly matches and should have amassed over 100 caps.

Wales are not fancied to beat the Czechs at the weekend, despite home advantage, and trade at 5.3 to take all three points from the contest, with their opponents on offer at 1.77 and the draw available at 3.75.

Giggs will, if selected, be desperate to put on a show for the Welsh fans on his international swansong, and scoring on his farewell performance would be the icing on the cake.

Markets are available on Betfair for a Czech Republic clean sheet, which would spoil Gigg's final outing, as well as a Welsh clean sheet in Cardiff.