IMAGE: Chris Coleman, right, manager of Wales, gives instructions to Gareth Bale, left and James Chester. Photograph: Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images.
Wales boss Chris Coleman has come out in support of his star play maker Gareth Bale.
Bale last week made a comment suggesting that Wales had more passion and pride than their neighbours who "big themselves up before they've done anything", a remark that prompted a defensive response from England boss Roy Hodgson.
Coleman said Bale had meant no disrespect.
"If you know Gareth, he is the most down-to-earth boy you could wish to meet," he said.
"He is not a disrespectful kid. I can understand where Roy was coming from but I think Gareth meant it in a way of 'little old Wales'."
Wales end their group stage campaign against Russia in Toulouse on June 20.
