Fear of failure the ultimate spur for Giggs

Skipper Ryan Giggs led his Wales troops into Dublin yesterday insisting the fear of failure is the driving force in his career.

The Manchester United player might be on the brink of creating history by claiming a ninth championship medal - beating the record of eight held by Liverpool's Phil Neal - but being captain of Wales just reinforces his desire to add more achievement to an amazing career.

Giggs knows failure at Croke Park will end Welsh hopes of reaching the finals in Austria and Switzerland next year.

"I hate to fail at anything I do. That is what drives me on to the next game, the next season, the next trophy - I just don't want to fail," said Giggs.

"We (Manchester United) have not won the Champions League since 1999. And you only have to look at the FA Cup, that drives us as players and a club because we want to be the first club to lift the cup at the new Wembley."

Wales may have been the cause of much anguish in Giggs' career and will parade just four Premiership players at Croke Park - only Giggs, James Collins, Simon Davies and Craig Bellamy are playing in the top flight.

Giggs remains undaunted.

"I have never lost the belief that I can play in a major finals for Wales. I know time is running out, but I will try my very best to the last."