Gareth Bale's time at Real Madrid has been adorned with trophies and pockmarked by fan discontent, but Graham Hunter feels that tonight's game against Paris St Germain is perfectly set for him to once again shine.
Real Madrid lead the Parisians 3-1 in the tie, and Graham gave us an insight into Bale's current situation in the Spanish capital.
"I think it is feasible that he starts, but I don't think it is guaranteed. The power of the BBC [Bale, Benzema & Cristiano Ronaldo] was shown again at the weekend. The idea of the BBC has become something of a marketing ploy and it ignores the fact that not only are they three fantastic players, but at their fit peak, they play very well together. It's a powerful trio.
"Last week, Bale played a game against Espanyol that damaged him badly. Benzema and Ronaldo were rested and it was a bitter, cold night with the sleet pouring on them. Zidane wanted to rest certain players, including Casemiro. It was, at best, a two-thirds strong side and what it needed was an FA Cup attitude - [Bale] didn't show it. It really was one of the worst games that I have seen Gareth Bale play in a Real Madrid shirt. That hurt him."
In terms of his potential replacements, the coaching staff are not wanting for quality players to step into Bale's role in the forward line.
"I think there is a possibility that instead of Isco or Asensio, who the fans definitely want in the team ahead of him, I think Lucas Vazquez is a possibility. Over the last few weeks, he has probably been Real Madrid's best player after Cristiano Ronaldo. He has been scoring freely again, his work rate, power and commitment to the cause [...] he's made his case.
On the relative lack of fan pressure associated with Bale playing away from home, Graham was in combative form.
"You're speaking to somebody who has been aggressive and on the attack about some of the utter cack that has been written and broadcast about him here. Over the years he's been playing well, the relationship with Ronaldo has been at best cold and he hasn't learned Spanish. Real Madrid have tried on at least two occasions to ship him out to Manchester United to generate cash, and the media have joined in on a 'Let's mistreat and give a bad name to Gareth Bale' [agenda].
"When you look at how he has performed generally over the years, including the majority of this season - I think his work rate, success, quality and ability to appear on the big occasions and score or make [goals] has been first-class. He merits the trophies that he has got.
"Tonight is a Gareth Bale game. When he is fully fit, on form and his head is in the right place, Gareth Bale is one of those players that has been given absolutely everything to be on of the world's top six or seven dominant footballers. Except occasionally, that absolute ruthless winner's mentality - I'm not certain about it."
The asterisk beside Bale's name amongst the canon of the world's best has been echoed by his manager, Zinedine Zidane, when he recently dropped him for a game against Getafe.
"He doesn't approach this game on the absolute best form or having absolutely convinced Zidane. The phrase that Zidane used was [...] 'Gareth has to learn about the team's importance.' That is work rate that we are talking about."
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