Gareth Barry desperate to beat Ryan Giggs’ hat-trick as the West Brom prepares to break Premier League appearance record
Ex-England midfielder will play his 633rd Prem game at Arsenal on Monday and his next target is the Man Utd legend's overall total of 672 league matches
IT IS not often you would back Gareth Barry over Ryan Giggs when it comes to bagging a hat-trick.
However, the veteran West Brom midfielder is desperate to topple a trio of Giggs’ most-cherished records.
On Monday, at Arsenal, Barry will rewrite the record books by overtaking the Manchester United legend in making his milestone 633rd Premier League appearance.
Last week, he became the first player to make 600 Premier League starts. His next target is Giggs’ overall total of 672 league games.
Yet Barry, 36, admits he will never have the last word over the Welshman — as Giggs pointed out during a cheeky video message yesterday.
Barry revealed: “I was doing an interview with Phil Neville and he said he had a message from Ryan Giggs on his iPad. He said Ryan wanted to congratulate me.
“I don’t know Ryan too well personally but he is the most decorated player in the English game and for him to play on until he was 40 was amazing. He’s someone you respect and it was lovely to hear from him.
“Funnily enough, he never mentioned the time I was playing for City and we beat them 6-1 at Old Trafford — he just said his was a tougher record because he’d done it at a bigger club throughout his career!
most read in football
“And I’m not going to argue with Ryan Giggs about trophies and who’s done what.”
However, he does have his eyes on Giggs’ overall appearance mark of 672 top-flight league games, which he could hit next season if he continues the way he is going.
Barry shows absolutely no signs of slowing down and admitted: “We’ve both been lucky in terms of injuries.
“I used to look at Ryan playing so many games and think, ‘How is he doing it?’. So it’s strange to think I could pass his Premier League appearance record on Monday.
“However, I’m not one of those who think football began when the Premier League was formed 25 years go — records existed before 1992.
“Ryan played in the old First Division before that and he’s collected a few more appearances than 633.
“I’m not here to say, ‘I’m top of the tree in English football history’. But I’ll try and get past Ryan’s 672 Football League appearances.
“When people like Ryan say I can do it and managers like Tony Pulis say I can keep going, it’s fantastic to hear, a real confidence boost.
But I took nothing for granted as a young player and I won’t do that now. I’ll just keep going as long as possible.”
Barry made his Premier League debut for Aston Villa in May 1998 during a 3-1 win at Sheffield Wednesday.
And he revealed his mum, Linda, and dad, Stan, knew he was about to take his bow before he did!
The Baggies midfielder recalled: “I’d spent a couple of weeks travelling with the first team to see what it was all about. Then my parents got a call one day, from a youth coach, to say I might be on the bench at Hillsborough.
“They drove all the way up from Hastings to Sheffield and then the manager, John Gregory, turned to me in the second half and sent me on.
“You’re running out there not sure what to expect and whether you’re up to that level or if it’s too early. But you run around on adrenalin and we won, so you look back on it as a defining moment and the start of something good.
“I’m just glad my parents got that call and were there at the start of my Premier League career.
“Suddenly you’re watching yourself on TV and seeing your picture in the papers, it’s great to see.
“It’s something you dream of, obviously, watching yourself on Match of the Day for the first time; scoring on Match of the Day. These are little landmarks you go through.
“Even last weekend when I was getting some media coverage my mum will keep all the clippings.
“When I go back to Hastings it’s good to run through the 20 years of stuff she’s kept, so I can always go back there for memories.
“The obvious one which sticks out is winning the league with City in such dramatic style. But the whole package has been fantastic.
“I’ve been fortunate to play for four big clubs in Villa, Manchester City, Everton and West Brom — all with great histories.
“I’ve never wanted to play abroad. There was speculation about America and a tiny bit when Rafa Benitez was in Italy but nothing serious. I just love the Premier League, it suits me and I know it so well. I’ve never felt the need to go anywhere else.”
Barry says it is fitting he should set the record for making the most appearances in the Premier League against its longest-serving manager.
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is the only boss who was around when Barry took his bow for Villa in 1998.
And Barry said: “I was close to signing for Arsenal on a couple of occasions: before I was leaving Villa for Man City and again when I was leaving City for Everton.
“I’ve got massive respect for Arsene Wenger for what he’s done for the English game and it would have been good to work under him but it just didn’t happen for whatever reason.
“He’s won the lot at Arsenal but ultimately as a manager you’re going to get judged on results and that’s where the criticism will come.
“But when Arsene eventually retires he’ll get the plaudits he deserves.”
Keep up to date with ALL the transfer news and gossip on our blog