Former Southampton team-mate Gareth Bale has thrown his support behind Theo Walcott.
Former Southampton team-mate and fellow teenage star Gareth Bale has backed Theo Walcott to thrive on the big stage this summer.Walcott's departure from St Mary's set in motion the chain of events that led to his inclusion in Sven Goran Eriksson's squad, and Bale has admitted that he was as surprised as anyone.
16-year-old Bale earned his first international cap for Wales against Trinidad & Tobago on Saturday, but is more than happy for his close friend and ex-room-mate to hog the limelight.
Bale insisted that Walcott's talent was clear for all to see from an early age.
"I have known him since I was 12," he explained. "We played together at the youth levels, under13s, and obviously we've pushed on.
"He has always had great pace. He was lightning quick at the age of 12, so everyone knew that he would become a good player."
Bale was not expecting Walcott, who has yet to play in The Premiership for Arsenal, to be picked for the World Cup, but stressed that the striker would not let anybody down if called upon in Germany.
"I was bit surprised when he got his call-up," he conceded.
"There was stuff in the papers saying he had an outside chance of getting to the World Cup so I was happy for him to be there.
"He has had pressure since he made his first-team debut, so he will take it in his stride like he usually does when he gets his chance.
"I know that he will do well if he gets on the pitch in Germany."
