2 September 2005
Exclusive: Rio Ferdinand interview

Rio Ferdinand highlights two players England should watch out for when they meet Wales on Saturday.


Rio Ferdinand has picked out two of his former team mates as the men to watch when England take on Wales in Cardiff on Saturday.

Three Lions defender Ferdinand is confident England can pick up three crucial points as we take on the Welsh in a World Cup qualifier.

But he also knows from personal experience just how difficult the match will be with John Hartson and Ryan Giggs in the opposition ranks.

Hartson was a teammate of Ferdinand in his West Ham days while Giggs, of course, is a current colleague at Old Trafford.

Ferdinand exclusively told TheFA.com: “I used to train with John every day at West Ham and he is a quality player.

“Myself and Frank Lampard were talking about it before and we were saying that he could have been one of the top strikers in the Premiership if he hadn’t left. But things changed and he has moved on to Scotland where he has done very well.

“He will always be a hard person to play against given his size and his awkwardness in front of goal - because when he gets a strike on goal he normally hits the target. He is someone I have always thought of as a quality player and someone to respect.”

Exactly the same can be said of wing wizard Giggs, of course. And the banter between him and Rio is already flowing.

Ferdinand said: “Leading up to the game there was a bit of banter in the changing room. A couple of times we would have a quick word about it.

“Giggs is a quality player and if we are to win this game then we will need to make sure that we keep him quiet. He is the sort of player that can turn a game on it’s head with one piece of brilliance and we will need to keep an eye on him because if you allow him any space he will do that.

“This is a great opportunity for Wales to get one over on us and put a dent in our hopes of qualification – and if one of their players can pull something out of the hat then they will a hero over here.

“But were are not worrying about them too much. We are just trying to concentrate on ourselves and trying to prepare properly. If we apply ourselves in the right way then I am sure that we will get a victory.”