REAL Madrid’s manager Zinedine Zidane said Gareth Bale is “going to stay” with the club after the Welsh forward set up Karim Benzema’s opening goal in a 3-1 victory at Celta Vigo.
Bale was a surprise starter after being linked with a move away from Real.
He was involved in Madrid’s best moments and Zidane insisted it was always his plan to play Bale in this game.
“He’s going to stay and we all have to think of that as a positive thing,” Zidane said.
He said, “The injury to Eden Hazard was bad luck for us but it didn’t change the plans we had for Bale in this game.
“Gareth and everyone else here is going to show this shirt the respect it deserves.”
Bale had already tested Celta keeper Ruben Blanco with a rasping shot before delivering a pinpoint cross for Benzema to touch home after 12 minutes.
Celta responded well and thought they had equalised on the stroke of half-time, but Brais Mendez’ effort was disallowed for offside by the video assistant referee.
