Nir Bitton isn’t overawed by facing Wales’ star-studded midfield.
Israel have a 100% record as they host the Welsh on Saturday with all eyes on Gareth Bale.
Following Real Madrid’s El Classico defeat at the weekend the midfielder has been singled out for criticism with pictures emerging of ‘fans’ attacking his car.
With Joe Allen, Aaron Ramsey and Joe Ledley supporting Bale in midfield the Welsh have started the campaign with two wins and two draws- including a point from Belgium in Brussels- to raise hopes of a first finals appearance since 1958.
Israel have never reached the finals of the European Championships but with two qualifying spots as well as the play-off route to France Bitton knows that a win on Saturday could go a long way.
“Unlike Wales, we don’t have lot of players with clubs in the Premier League and we don’t have any Real Madrid players,” the in-form Celt said. “So we are not favourites but I don’t think as a team we are inferior to Wales.
“We want to win and we’ll be going out to win. Wales is not just Gareth Bale, we’ll be trying to beat Wales not Gareth Bale.”
The aftermath of the defeat from Barcelona has dominated the build up to the match with the Welsh camp coming out strongly in support of Bale.
“He’s the same as usual,” Liverpool midfielder Allen claimed. “He’s a world class player who shows that in every minute of every session we do.
“It’s the pressure of being at a big club. He will know better than anyone what it’s like to deal with that but I don’t get the impression that he is someone who is fazed by these sorts of things.
“It comes with the territory at a club like that. I doubt it has too much influence on him. It’s great to have him here, I doubt the Israeli’s will be looking forward to facing him at the weekend.”
