GARETH BALE SPOTTED PLAYING GOLF AT ROYAL ABERDEEN

Welsh football star Gareth Bale enjoyed his summer break with a couple of rounds of golf in the North-east yesterday.

The Real Madrid player was spotted first at Trump International before heading to Royal Aberdeen.

It was reported the footballer was in the region with school friends as part of an annual golf trip they take.

Gareth Bale playing golf at Royal Aberdeen Golf Club in Aberdeen. Picture by Kenny Elrick

After playing at two of the North-east’s biggest courses the group headed south to St Andrews to play the Old Course today.

No English player would get in the Welsh team, claim Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey

Wales continued to bullishly provoke England in the pre-match mind-games yesterday when Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey both said that Roy Hodgson does not have a single player who would get into their team.

Bale was laughing as he made the claim but Ramsey looked more serious as he added that he believes that Wales are now the better team and that the pressure in Lens tomorrow for their Euro 2016 Group B match was all on England.

Hodgson had previously accused Bale of disrespecting England for saying that Wales have “more pride and passion” but the Real Madrid forward refused to back down yesterday and willingly expanded on his comments.

Bale says he is "glad England bit" on his comments and believes Wales can win

“It’s good they bit,” he said, smiling. “I didn’t say they didn’t have pride or passion. In my opinion we have more. They probably will say the same. I’m happy with the comments. We’ve got a massive team spirit, the best I’ve seen.

“Whatever sport it is, whether it’s football or rugby, I feel that we always take it [pride and passion] to the next level. It’s just my opinion. Nothing is fazing us, we don’t feel any pressure, we’re just going to go out and enjoy the occasion.” 

Bale also stressed that Wales “know their [England’s] weaknesses” and was asked to respond to Jack Wilshere’s claim that England have the superior team.

“They are entitled to their opinion - I don’t care,” said Bale. “If they think they have a better squad, good for them.”

Jack Wilshere hit back at Bale's comments on Monday CREDIT: MICHAEL REGAN - THE FA

Asked how many England players would get into this Wales team, he said: “None”. Bale was applauded off the press conference stage by a group of Wales fans and his observations were then backed up by Ramsey.

“I believe we have the best team,” said Ramsey. “We’ve been through a lot over the years; we’ve been together through thick and thin. We’re seeing the rewards of that. We believe in ourselves. We have grown as a team.”

Wales have not beaten England since 1984 although they did briefly climb above them in the Fifa rankings last year before falling behind again before this tournament.

“It’s about time we did beat them,” said Ramsey. “We are top [of the group], they got a draw, all the pressure is on them. We’ve got no pressure, everyone is expecting them to win, hopefully that will play to our advantage. We are having fun.”

The relaxed sense of enjoyment is certainly in contrast to the tension that has often been evident around England at recent tournaments.

The decision by the Football Association of Wales to make their two highest-profile players available for interview yesterday would certainly have been carefully considered and manager Chris Coleman will hope that it sends a clear message about the quality and ambition of his team.

Coleman made the point earlier in the week that he thinks Wales “have always settled for too little” and wants his players to behave in a more self-confident way.

Chris Coleman, the Welsh manager CREDIT: BPI/REX/SHUTTERCOCK

“If you want it, you have got to give it,” he said. Bale and Ramsey certainly did that yesterday, although they both acknowledged that any “mind games” will ultimately have only a limited bearing on what happens during the game.

Ramsey, though, did appear utterly genuine in referencing the difficulties that this Wales team have experienced as a reason for their superior collective strength.

Aaron Ramsey was in a relaxed mood ahead of the game with England CREDIT: STU FORSTER/GETTY IMAGES 

“We have had some really low points and we are now experiencing some fantastic experiences,” he said. “We are dangerous going forward and create opportunities, we give everything and leave nothing out there. That is our identity. We will be more interested in doing our talking on the pitch.”

Ramsey was then asked about the specific tension that seems to follow England at major tournaments. “They always seem to do well in the qualifying campaign and then there is a lot of pressure when they get to the finals,” he said.

“That is something they experience but we don’t because we did so well in the qualification campaign and in getting here. We are first British team to get off to a winning start. The result puts us in a good position - we will have even more belief now. The pressure is all on them. We're relaxed. We're enjoying every minute of it, it's a new experience. Anything that happens is a bonus. There's no pressure.” 

Ramsey admitted that he struggled to contain his tears when the Wales national anthem was played before the match against Slovakia.

Coleman also arranged for the players’ families to send them messages before the Slovakia match, with Ramsey especially moved by a video of his seven-month-old son, Sonny.

“It's been a while since I saw my little boy,” he said. “So much change happens. Seeing him and my wife was quite upsetting but they're all behind and realising we are doing something special.

Ramsey (left) and Bale both faced the media on Tuesday CREDIT: STU FORSTER/GETTY IMAGES

"That was probably the biggest thing I've had to overcome so far. He's started crawling now and my wife managed to capture it on video so I was able to see it. He's got a mini Wales number 10 shirt.” 

Bale also delivered positive news on the fitness of goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey, who has had an injection after missing the Slovakia match with a back spasm. 

“He’ll recover I’m sure for the game,” he said. Joe Ledley, who returned to play against Slovakia on Saturday just 35 days after breaking his leg for Crystal Palace, also says that he is ready to start.

Barcelona thrash Espanyol, Real Madrid win, Atletico crash out of title race

Barcelona closed in on the La Liga title by thrashing local rivals Espanyol 5-0 on Sunday as Atletico Madrid dropped out of the race after losing 2-1 at Levante and Real Madrid beat Valencia 3-2.

Barca top the standings on 88 points, Real moved into second on 87 and Atletico have 85 with one game remaining.

Barca went ahead in the eighth minute when Lionel Messi curled a 22-yard free kick into the top corner with a magnificent finish.

Luis Suarez stretched the hosts' lead with two goals in the second half before Rafinha and Neymar completed the rout.

Atletico took the lead at Levante in the first minute through Fernando Torres, but the relegated home side fought back, equalising through Victor Casadesus before Giuseppe Rossi grabbed the winner in stoppage time.

Real were without goalkeeper Keylor Navas, defender Dani Carvajal, midfielder Luka Modric and winger Gareth Bale through injury, but went ahead thanks to a thunderous low finish from Cristiano Ronaldo in the 26th minute.

Karim Benzema scored the second before the break but Rodrigo Moreno, who was later sent off, pulled one back for Valencia after halftime.

Ronaldo added his second a few minutes later before Andre Gomes scored a sumptuous consolation goal for Valencia.

Gareth Bale becomes the top British goalscorer in La Liga history

The Welshman scored his 43rd league goal since arriving at the Bernabeu back in 2013.

Real Madrid star Gareth Bale has become the top British goalscorer in La Liga history.

Bale passed the ball into an empty net during Real Madrid's 4-0 win over Sevilla to bag his 43rd goal in just 76 league appearances.

He surpasses England legend Gary Lineker, who took 103 matches to find the net 42 times for Los Blancos' fierce rivals Barcelona.

Gareth Bale scores against Celta Vigo to equal Gary Lineker's La Liga best.

Bale should have taken the record when he had a goal wrongly disallowed for offside early in the match, but the 26-year-old got his rewards when Karim Benzema put it on a plate for him in the 66th minute.

The Welshman was left out of Chris Coleman's squad for the upcoming friendlies against Northern Ireland and the Ukraine as he continues to return to full fitness, having made a comeback from his most recent calf injury earlier this month.

Transfer gossip: Chelsea keen to swap Eden Hazard for Gareth Bale

Unsettled Real Madrid star Gareth Bale's and the German Bundesliga's deadliest marksman feature in today's transfer round-up.

BALE COULD BE A TARGET FOR CHELSEA

Real Madrid’s eagerness to bring Chelsea’s Eden Hazard to the Bernabeu may see them consider a lavish swap deal involving their club record signing Gareth Bale, according to fresh reports.

Rumours in Spain over the last few months have suggested that Hazard is one of Real Madrid’s top transfer targets, with the club’s new manager Zinedine Zidane known to be a firm admirer of the Belgian playmaker.

Despite his alarming slump in form in the back end of 2015, Real Madrid still see Hazard as a player they want to add to their ranks of superstars and the question remains whether they would allow Bale to leave if he is being replaced by the current PFA Footballer of the Year.

Manchester United tried and failed with extravagantly expensive bids to sign Bale from Real Madrid last summer, but a move that could see both clubs acquiring top quality players may be more palatable to the hierarchy at the Spanish club.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid have played down reports that Bale is unhappy at the club following the sacking of coach Rafa Benitez on Monday, with Zindane insisting the Welshman is a central cog in the club’s future.

DORTMUND STAR COULD BE A BIG JANUARY MOVER

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could emerge as the biggest signing by a Premier League club in this transfer window, amid fresh reports in Germany the Bundesliga’s leading scorer could be destined for the Premier League.

Arsenal and Liverpool are believed to be at the front of the queue to sign Aubameyang, with the 26-year-old Frenchman missing training with his club on Tuesday due to “a personal appointment”, according to a club statement.

Bids in excess of £40m would be required before Dortmund would consider selling their star man this month, but that figure may not deter big spending Premier League clubs who have the guarantee of a windfall of fresh money from the lucrative new TV contract that will kick in next summer.

“We all hope he will stay,” said his Dortmund team-mate Matthias Ginter when asked about Aubameyang. “He’s very important, on the pitch and off, for what he contributes to the group atmosphere.”

Aubameyang has fired 18 Bundesliga goals this season, with Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp well aware of his abilities as he worked with the Frenchman in his final two years with Dortmund.

ARSENAL CLOSE ON THEIR FIRST JANUARY SIGNING

FC Basel midfielder Mohamed Elneny is edging closer to a deal to become Arsenal’s first signing of the January transfer window, after his club confirmed they expected him to leave “in the coming days.”

Basel returned to training on Tuesday after the Christmas break and Elneny was not a part of the group working under coach Urs Fischer.

A statement on Basel’s website read: “Absent (from training) was Mohamed Elneny, for who there could be a transfer in the coming days.”

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has hinted that he will be busy in this transfer window, with Elneny set to be the first of several signings designed to bolster their squad in a season when they are emerging as favourites to lift the Premier League title.

FALCAO OFF TO AMERICA?

Chelsea are eager for Radamel Falcao to find a new club this summer after his disastrous and expensive loan move from Monaco, with a report in the Daily Mirror suggesting MLS side Columbus Crew are eyeing up a bid for the Colombian.

A move to MLS at the age of 29 would confirm that Falcao’s days as a top level performer are over, but his stock has never been lower after a woeful spell at Manchester United last season has been backed up by an equally poor stint at Chelsea in the last few months.

Chelsea will be forced to continue to pay Falcao’s wages for the rest of this season unless he finalizes a move in this transfer window, with his parent club Monaco under no obligation to take him back under the teams of his year-long deal they agreed with the Premier League champions.

Zinedine Zidane: Gareth Bale appears less enthusiastic than his Real Madrid team-mates upon greeting new boss

Real Madrid have released footage of the moment new manager Zinedine Zidane greeted his players for the first time since his appointment - and some seem more enthusiastic than others.

The Frenchman replaced Rafael Benítez this week in a move which has reportedly unsettled Gareth Bale, the world’s most expensive player, who has been linked relentlessly with a move to Manchester United.

Zidane is captured strolling across the bench in the Madrid dressing room, notably passing an empty spot where Bale was supposed to be sat, before eventually finding the former Tottenham forward.

Unlike his team-mates, Bale doesn’t stand up immediately and instead shakes his new manager’s hand sat down before climbing to his feet and exchanging a joke with the Madrid boss.

Speaking on Tuesday, Zidane admitted: “I understand that Gareth could be annoyed by Rafa’s departure because he was a very important coach in his career.

“But he is going to receive the same affection from me. He is fundamental for the team and what he has been doing of late for us on the pitch is phenomenal. He will have all my support so that he continues to play well for us.”

Sevilla hosting Real will split loyalties of Konoplyanka and Cheryshev

Dmitri Cheryshev was coaching in Kazakhstan when the call came through. On the other end of the line was Ramon Rodriguez Verdejo, commonly known as Monchi, Sevilla's acclaimed sporting director. He had a proposal. The club had made a big financial bet on bringing in Ukrainian international Yevhen Konoplyanka and he wanted Cheryshev to join their coaching staff to assist in the winger's adaptation to Spain and its football.

Cheryshev travelled to Seville for brief and successful negotiations. "We talked for two or three days before I gave my response," the former Dynamo Moscow and Sporting Gijon forward, and Real Madrid youth coach, told ABC Sevilla. "But as soon as I left the stadium I knew that it was an opportunity I could not afford to miss out on."

The former Russian international had made a similar move from Eastern Europe to Spain during his own playing career and was well aware of the hurdles awaiting his new charge. "Ukraine and Spain are completely different," he explained. "Not only on the pitch but also in the dressing room and in everyday life. Everything is different."

The arrival of Cheryshev was one of a number of steps Sevilla took to ensure that their star signing had the best possible chance of bridging those differences. They brought in Juan Candau, a fitness coach with a solid grasp of Russian following his two years at CSKA Moscow, and also signed promising Ukrainian forward Maryan Shved from Karpaty Lviv.

While Cheryshev and Candau helped Konoplyanka -- who spoke not a word of Spanish or English upon his arrival in Seville -- through the language barrier in training, Shved became his socialising partner and confidant.

Konoplyanka quickly showed his quality with the ball at his feet with a superb strike in the UEFA Super Cup defeat to Barcelona but struggled to come to terms with the defensive tasks assigned to him by coach Unai Emery. His playing time generally came as a substitute, with Emery perhaps feeling that it would be difficult to incorporate both Konoplyanka and Jose Antonio Reyes into his starting XI without sacrificing his side's defensive solidity.

But boosted by some promising performances off the bench, Konoplyanka has started ahead of Reyes in each of Sevilla's past four matches. His numbers (two goals and an assist in that span) tell the story of a player who is starting to find his feet in new surroundings.

The 26-year-old has notched four goals and one assist in 12 appearances (five starts) in league and Champions League action to date. That works out to a direct contribution to 0.61 goals per 90 minutes. At this stage, he already is good for a goal or assist every two games; a very solid output in a team that has struggled for results during the early part of the campaign.

Yet there is still a feeling that there is more to come. There were certainly signs of a burgeoning partnership with left-back Benoit Tremoulinas in the defeat away to Manchester City last month. The pair had more touches of the ball in the attacking half than any of their teammates and combined directly on more occasions than any other pair of players. It was Konoplyanka who swept in the opening goal of the match from the centre of the area.

"I am adapting, slowly, slowly," he explained, with Cheryshev as his translator, on returning to Seville after being named UEFA's man of the match. "Things will be much better when I can understand perfectly what my teammates are saying to me in Spanish, but I am already in a position to compete. There is a lot of competition in the squad, but I'm ready."

Denis Cheryshev, right, has found minutes at Real Madrid hard to come by this season.

Real Madrid are the next visitors to the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan this Sunday, and among their midst will be a member of the Cheryshev family who hasn't enjoyed anywhere near as successful a start to his season's work. Dmitri's son, Denis Cheryshev, returned to Madrid this summer following an excellent year out on loan at Villarreal but has so far been given less than a hour of playing time by new coach Rafael Benitez.

The 24-year-old had a brief stay of his own in Seville back in the 2013-14 season but endured a difficult year, ravaged by injuries that restricted him to just five appearances. His playing time looks likely to be similarly sparse this season given that not only are the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale ahead of him in the pecking order, but also Jese Rodriguez and Lucas Vazquez.

Cheryshev would dearly love to take part on Sunday with his father there to watch on at close quarters from the opposition bench. His chances of doing so have been boosted by the injury suffered by left-back Marcelo in midweek, as he remains an option for that position given Madrid's lack of naturally left-footed replacements for its regular occupant.

The best result for the family would of course be a draw in which Cheryshev and Konoplyanka both play and score. But whatever the outcome, afterwards there are certain to be words of support and encouragement exchanged between two generations of a family whose loyalties will be divided only for 90 minutes.