Very British occasion in Paris for last 16 of Euro 2016

That implies that the over 2.5 goals is a great bet for this match.

McLean’s have Wales sitting at evens for the game with Northern Ireland on offer at 7/2.

“Positionally, he’s better, he’s a lot more disciplined with us. We can’t look past the next 45 minutes, it’s a huge challenge tomorrow for both teams”.

Wales have a Euro 2016 second-round clash with Northern Ireland at the Parc des Princes today (5), and the opportunity to advance to the tournament’s quarter-finals.

Nevertheless, the Real Madrid star turned his focus towards a man whose midfield battle with Northern Ireland captain Steven Davis could be pivotal for the outcome.

And Welsh supporters are dreaming of getting to the Stade de France in a campaign which would match the wins of Denmark and Greece in the 1992 and 2004 tournaments.

“It’s an awesome feeling in the camp”, said Bale, who made his Wales debut just over a decade ago.

All three goals conceded by Wales at EURO 2016 have come from the 56th minute onwards.

Northern Ireland qualified as one of the best third-placed finishers after beating Ukraine and keeping their goal difference down in a respectable 1-0 defeat to Germany. Wales are favourites, as expected given their impressive Group B performances and Chris Coleman’s side can now realistically target a deep run in this competition after numerous highly ranked teams were drawn in the opposite half. No matter who we come up against we’ll fancy our chances.

“When we defend like we can and Michael’s in the form he’s shown, we’re very hard to beat, we’ve just got to find a way to score some goals”.

And, while he expects a tough game, Bale is confident that Wales can get one over on Northern Ireland too.

“I think he was more than confident that people would end up talking about his football, rather than his haircut”.

Despite the fact they will face Iceland at the last 16 stage, Roy Hodgson’s men are likely to have to face three of the tournament’s big guns in succession if they are to lift a first trophy in 50 years.

The two drew 1-1 in Cardiff in a friendly in March that Bale missed through injury.

Wales, who topped Group B, play Michael O’Neill’s Northern Ireland in Paris on Saturday (17:00 BST) live on BBC One. I want them to fully understand the significance of the game. That team achieved great things and that is the inspiration we will take for this tournament. Positionally he’s become more disciplined for us.

Chris Coleman’s men are ranked 96 places higher than they were in October 2011, and in that same month previous year were the eighth best team in Fifa’s world rankings.

“If you’re going to have a haircut that will shock people – and it did – you have to have a bit of confidence because you know you are going to be in the spotlight”, said the Wales boss.