Tottenham's Gareth Bale basking in best ever form (From Campaign Series)

Tottenham's Gareth Bale basking in best ever form

11:40pm Sunday 14th October 2012 in Sport By Michael Pearlman

GARETH Bale believes his sensational display against Scotland was one of the best of his career and his finest for Wales.

The Tottenham winger scored a penalty he won after a challenge by Kris Commons and then sent the Welsh fans into ecstasy with a sumptuous 89th-minute winner to turn the match on its head and give Wales a 2-1 win.

It was a victory that will do wonders for manager Chris Coleman, who had been under pressure, and Bale is already excited about the chance to repeat his heroics tomorrow night in Croatia and especially pleased for his under-fire boss.

"I think it was my best night for Wales, a great evening," he said.

"There was a lot of pressure on us coming into the game and we stood up to the challenge, which the whole nation needed.

"It definitely shows that the players are behind Chris Coleman. We are a strong nation and this group has been together for many years since we were quite young and we are very close. We’ve shown the character on the pitch to come back and win.

"We needed it, it’s a kick- start to our campaign and hopefully it can inspire us now for the matches ahead.

"We all knew coming in it was a massive game for us."

Bale utterly rejected suggestions he went down too easily for the Welsh equaliser, which he stroked home from the spot, and could barely contain his glee at the manner of the winning goal, a quite incredible individual effort.

"It’s a simple penalty, there was contact and I went over and thankfully scored," he said.

"Before that we had a few chances and were a bit unlucky, Rambo (Aaron Ramsey) has missed one but we hung in there.

"For the winning goal I was a bit surprised I had a bit of space and the comeback was the reaction we wanted.

"There was a bit of space in front of me, I drove into it and no-one closed me down. Some go in and some don’t."

Bale feels Wales and even Scotland are still in contention for World Cup 2014.

"I don’t think anyone is out of contention in the group, it’s been proven anyone can beat anyone," he said.

"We let ourselves down as well as the nation last time out.

"On Friday we went a goal down but we fought back like men and it was a great result.

"It kick-starts our campaign, a good performance like this lifts the lads and gives the players belief."