Brendan There For Stunned Joe

Brendan Rodgers provides the shoulder for Joe Allen to cry on should the midfielder need it over the tragic death of Gary Speed

Allen was becoming a regular feature in the Wales side under Speed – a Wales side that was on a winning run and racing up the world rankings.

Speed though took his own life last weekend, shortly before Allen lined up against Aston Villa – a game he insisted he wanted to play in despite the news.

And Brendan told the Evening Post “I pulled Joe over after training and said to him that if ever he needs to talk or wants to call me he can,” said Rodgers, who has lost his mother and father in recent times.

“I said to him that there will be a grieving process because he has lost someone who was important to him, just like me when I was grieving like he is now.

“Gary Speed was starting up a new era with Wales. He had done a really good job and he had given the Welsh nation their pride back.

“He was also a leader and an ambassador, and for a young player like Joe to lose that is hard.

“But I have told Joe that he just has to find a way to keep Gary’s spirit alive in his heart.

“Over time I think he will find a way to keep that spirit burning in his heart.”