But Scotland manager Gordon Strachan could find some encouragement ahead of the World Cup qualifier against Wales next Friday by phoning Jordan and finding out how his QPR team kept the 23-year-old winger quiet amid his goalscoring spree.
Jordan always knew Bale had the ability and athleticism to become a star and, as Tottenham assistant manager, he saw the player grow and grow following his hat-trick against Inter Milan in October 2010.
But, with the former Scotland striker and Harry Redknapp now in west London rather than north, they masterminded a goalless draw with Spurs in January before QPR's recent revival and Bale's run of 11 goals in nine games.
Jordan, who arrived at White Hart Lane a year after Bale's £5million move in 2007, said: "Spurs bought Gareth from Southampton for big money and there was a lad who had gone to London at 18 years of age.
"I'm not saying he found it difficult. There was competition there and he had the unfortunate tag of playing in I think it was 24 games and not playing in a winning team. That is not a good stat to have if you are picking a team.
"But he got that monkey off his back and it was not just the game he played against Inter Milan in the San Siro where he scores a hat-trick.
"But for anyone to do that, you would wake up the next morning and think 'I have got something to offer if I can score a hat-trick against the champions of Europe'.
"Gareth has gone from then and has belief now. If you have seen him in the last two or three months, he has taken a responsibility. I think he has matured.
"I don't think there is any difference in ability, there is more responsibility and he is more involved in the game now."
Jordan, who today joined Wales record goalscorer Ian Rush in Glasgow to promote ESPN's upcoming football coverage, added: "It's not just as a football player, as an athlete he is phenomenal.
"You see Gareth, as he has done unfortunately against Scotland as others, the goals he will score at the end of games.
"Because as quick and as powerful he is as an athlete, he has an aerobic thing that is second to none, he can go and go.
"If your tactic is to mark him, and you have got to do it for 90 minutes, you are in for one helluva hard night.
"And as we see now, with the responsibility he is taking on his shoulders, not only is he playing well but he is getting the goals."
Bale's late winner against Scotland in October came from 25 yards and after he had won the penalty that got the Welsh level.
But some of Jordan's inside knowledge might help Strachan out.
"We faced Gareth about four or five weeks ago with QPR and we got a draw and Gareth was very, very quiet," Jordan said.
"But Spurs are not a one-man band, you have players like Mousa Dembele, Aaron Lennon, Emmanuel Adebayor and Jermain Defoe.
"The reason they have done so well and are doing so well is because they have got match-winners.
"We had to look at it very carefully because we are at a QPR team that were and are bottom of the league and we couldn't play an open game because we would have got absolutely turned over.
"We nearly won the game, we got a good draw. I can't recall Gareth having a chance.
"We kept him very quiet and we know how Gareth is. We know what his strengths are, but it only takes one moment of indiscipline or lack of concentration and you have lost the game with people like that about."
That game came before QPR boosted their squad and closed the gap at the foot of the Barclays Premier League, and Jordan believes Scotland can be positive at Hampden in Strachan's competitive debut.
Jordan, who scored in three World Cups, said: "You do give respect to the opposition, especially with Gareth, and you don't want to get caught on the break.
"But I think you can get the balance right when you are playing at Hampden with that crowd behind you. A Scotland team can beat anybody at Hampden.
"But you have got to plan it very carefully. You can't play too open a game but you have that balance where you know you have players that when you are on the attack, they have the discipline and composure and are in a position where if it does break down, they are a safety not for not being exposed. We have mentioned Gareth and he can do that.
"You have got be secure at the back but you have got to take the game to them, because throughout my career and as a supporter, Scotland can beat the best at Hampden."
Post Comment
