Ryan Giggs claims Rangers move has made a big difference to Declan John

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Ranger’s Declan John has featured for Wales in the international break.

Wales manager Ryan Giggs has told Wales Online that he feels Declan John is reaping the rewards of playing regular first-team football for Rangers.

Wales have been in action over the international break, as they played in the 2018 China Cup, which culminated in Nanning earlier today.

Giggs’ side beat China 6-0 in the semi-finals last week as Gareth Bale bagged a hat-trick, whilst Sam Vokes hit a brace and Harry Wilson also got on the scoresheet.

In the final against Uruguay, Wales slipped to a 1-0 defeat as Uruguay claimed a victory through Edinson Cavani’s goal, handing the South Americans the trophy.

It was a great opportunity for Giggs to experiment with his squad, as the likes of Michael Crowe, Chris Mepham, Connor Roberts, Tom Lockyer, Lee Evans, Marley Watkins, Ryan Hedges and Billy Bodin were all called up.

Rangers defender Declan John also featured, earning his third and fourth caps for Wales as he started in both games for the Dragons to kickstart his international career.

The 22-year-old left back had been frozen out at Cardiff but has thrived since signing for Rangers last summer, with his performances encouraging the Gers to make his loan move permanent in January.

Now, John has been hailed by manager Giggs, telling Wales Online that he thinks John – as well as Liverpool’s Harry Wilson, who is on loan at Hull City – is reaping the rewards of playing regular first-team football, claiming he had power in his legs and great fitness.

“They are both playing and you can see that,” said Giggs. “They had power in their legs, the fitness, and that makes a big difference. When you’re in and out of the reserves or the first team or you’re training with the first team but not playing regular first team football, it has an effect.”

“Harry and Declan are seeing the benefits of playing week in, week out because you can’t beat playing competitive first team games. You get in a rhythm and that’s part of the reason why I started a lot of the players because they were in that rhythm of playing regularly.”A lot of our players aren’t playing regularly and it makes a difference,” he added.