Gary Speed: Wales can make ‘history’ by beating England at Millennium Stadium in Euro 2012 qualifier

Carlng Nations Cup : Gary Speed, Republic of Ireland v Wales(Getty Images)

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Wales manager Gary Speed is hoping to make ‘history’ by beating England as the two teams clash on Saturday.

It is not often that the Millennium Stadium is a sell out for a football international, and Speed sees this as a positive sign ahead of the Euro 2012 qualifier.

He said: “There has been times when we have played at the Millennium when there have not been very many fans there and it is disheartening.

“The aim is to be playing at the Millennium in front of a full house every game.

“This game can go a long way to ensuring that. When I played in front of 74,000 against Azerbaijan in 2003 it was because we were doing well and flying. If we get to that scenario again, it means that we are doing well.

“This is our chance to make history but if we do beat England we have to make sure that’s not our greatest achievement and we push on and qualify for the next tournament.

“We don’t want to sit here in five years, saying ‘remember England’. We want to remember qualifying. It would be fantastic should we win but that’s not the only thing.”

Controversy has surrounded Gareth Bale’s omission from the Wales team as Harry Redknapp confirmed he was not injured when he left London, but Speed has moved to clarify the issue.

“We swapped telephone messages and everything’s fine. It was a misunderstanding so that’s been nipped in the bud.”