Harry Wilson: No-one can replace Gareth Bale but Wales star comes close

Most have come with Wilson’s left foot too, a source of magic akin to the one Bale possessed.

There is even a slight suggestion of a physical resemblance. Well, maybe that’s pushing the comparison, but Wilson’s flowing locks now require an Alice band like Bale’s. A nod to the hair apparent?

Where Wales used to rely on Bale in their most important moments, now they turn to Wilson.

Craig Bellamy’s side face Bosnia-Herzegovina in their World Cup play-off semi-final in Cardiff on Thursday and, if they are victorious, they will host Italy or Northern Ireland in the final the following Tuesday.

When Wales beat Austria and Ukraine in play-offs to reach the 2022 World Cup, Bale scored all three goals.

Could Wilson do similar this time?

“We can’t replace Bale,” he tells BBC Sport Wales. “He was our best ever player.

“He carried us through games, he got us to major tournaments and the performances he put in in those tournaments were incredible.

“I never saw it as ‘I have to replace Bale’, I just knew along with the other attacking players we’ve got massive boots to fill, a big void to fill. As a collective we have to do that.

“I’m really happy with the way I’ve played and my numbers since Gaz left. But it definitely wasn’t the case of me replacing him because no-one can do that.”