Igor Stimac: 'Gareth Bale is better than Ryan Giggs'

Croatia manager Igor Stimac believes that Wales and Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Gareth Bale is one of the best five players in the world.

The 23-year-old was helpless as Croatia defeated Wales 2-0 on Tuesday night, but the former Derby County and West Ham United defender was impressed with Bale's contribution and went as far as saying that he is a better player than Ryan Giggs.

Stimac told the Daily Post: "Bale is one of the top five players in the world, a fantastic wonderful player. I like him very much, very good.

"When I was playing in England, I played against Ryan Giggs and of course he was a good player too - world class.

"But I think Bale is better than Giggs. He has all the skill of Giggs but he is stronger and much more difficult for a team to deal with because of that."

Bale has scored nine goals in 38 appearances for Wales.