Wales relying on Bale's big-game experience to cope with hostile Israeli crowds

GARETH BALE will step out of the frying pan into the fire when Wales go to Israel on Saturday.

Gareth BaleGETTY

Gareth Bale is braced for a tough crowd as Wales travel to Israel

Dragons boss Chris Coleman visited the Middle East ahead of Saturday's crunch Euro 2016 qualifier and reckons Wales face one of the most hostile atmospheres in European football.

But Bale is getting used to tough crowds as the criticism from the crowds at Real Madrid continue to rain down onto the world's most expensive player, and Coleman's assistant Osian Roberts reckons that can help.

"We know the environment in Haifa is going to be tough," he said. "This will be up with the most hostile places to go in Europe and similar to playing in places Serbia or Croatia.

"It's going to be all about making a mental adjustment to be prepared for whatever comes our way.

Gareth Bale Player Profile

They can use that experience to help us and the other lads handle the occasion

Osian Roberts

"This is a massive game and thankfully we now have a few players, like Gareth and Aaron, who have been to places like Galatasaray and Rome in the Champions League. They can use that experience to help us and the other lads handle the occasion."

The Welsh FA also wanted to assess security concerns in the troubled region.

Roberts said: "Right now things are pretty quiet but we are aware that trouble can flare up at any moment."

Israel and Wales are unbeaten in Group B as they aim to qualify for a major tournament for only the second time.

Roberts added: "Israel's results prove that Israel have plenty of quality even if they don't have household names in the English Premier League."

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