A nation uncrossed its fingers last night when Bobby Gould announced that Ryan Giggs's descent from the summit of domestic and European club football had not been accompanied by any recurrence of those injuries that normally prevent him turning out for his country.
He plays for Wales in Italy tonight in what is only his third international appearance in two seasons.
It goes without saying that against such formidable opponents his return is well timed. Gould's collection of perennial underdogs are sorely in need of the skill, acceleration and daring which combined to bring about his spectacular goal against Arsenal in the FA Cup, recently voted the best of the season.
The Italians will more easily recall the late effort at Old Trafford which helped to bring about the downfall of Juventus in the Champions League.
It was a trophy that, ultimately, of course, passed into Manchester United's hands, along with the Premiership and FA Cup, three reasons to give Wales hope that Giggs can fly for them in the Stadio Dall'Ara and instigate a surprise result to ignite their European Championship prospects.
"It must be difficult for Ryan because he goes onto one plateau, comes down from that, and then has to build himself up for the next one," said Gould. "Considering all he has to cope with, I am full of admiration for his personality. He never seems to be in a state of flummox (sic)."
Gould's team to face the Group One favourites also shows a recall for Watford's Robert Page, who comes into the defence instead of the injured Chris Coleman. In midfield, with Andy Johnson a late addition to the squad because he was getting married and not considered, and Robbie Savage suspended, Gould has turned to the Norwich City tyro Craig Bellamy. It's a side that carries the promise of goals - always assuming that Italy allow them to see enough of the ball.
Tom Boyd will close in on a Kenny Dalglish record when he captains Scotland in the Euro 2000 qualifier against the Faroe Islands today at the windswept Toftir Stadium.
The 33-year-old Celtic captain will make a remarkable 37th consecutive international appearance as he takes the armband for the first time in a competitive game. It will be his 63rd cap, and he is only seven games away from overhauling Dalglish's record of 43 successive matches for Scotland.
He takes over as captain from Rangers defender Colin Hendry who is sidelined with a groin injury.
