Ian Rush backs Gareth Bale to top Wales' Champions League pile

Gareth Bale went to the same school as Wales rugby union captain Sam Warburton

Wales' record goalscorer Ian Rush says Real Madrid's Gareth Bale can overtake him to become the first Welshman to win three Champions Leagues.

Rush has two titles, as does another Liverpool old boy, Joey Jones, and ex-Manchester United winger Ryan Giggs.

Bale could clinch his third when Cardiff's Principality Stadium hosts this season's Champions League final.

"I'd be happy for him to beat it because it means a Wales player is successful," said Rush.

"It would be a dream come true of he can win it in Wales and become out most successful player in Europe."

Rush believes Bale's presence in the Real Madrid team ensures Wales' football fans would be behind the Spanish team in the player's home city.

"When I was playing I would never have dreamed about playing the final in Cardiff," said Rush.

"Now it's here most Welsh people will want Real Madrid to get there and that's because of one person.

"It would be great for him and the country as well."

Rush was speaking in Cardiff at an event to mark the city hosting the Champions League final for the first time in May 2017.

Gareth Bale must score seven more Wales goals to go above Ian Rush in the nation's record books

He won the European Cup with Liverpool in 1981 and 1984 and remains Wales' leading scorer with 28 goals, six more than Bale.

The Real Madrid player lifted the Champions League trophy with his Spanish club last season and in 2013.

He also helped Real Madrid beat Sevilla 2-0 the 2014 Super Cup in Cardiff.

However, Bale does not seem overly concerned about surpassing Rush, Jones and Giggs' landmark.

"It would be nice. I have a better chance than them because I'm still playing," Bale joked.

"Obviously my aim is to win as many trophies as I can and win as many Champions Leagues as I can.

"That will be the aim again this year, to win as many trophies as I can, and hopefully one of them is a Champions League."