Aaron Hughes says Northern Ireland will be well prepared to shackle the threat of Gareth Bale in Saturday’s Euro 2016 game against Wales.
Real Madrid forward Bale scored three times as the Welsh topped Group B ahead of England to set up a meeting with Michael O’Neill’s side.
“The great thing about this tournament is you get to play against the top players,” said Hughes, 36.
“On form, Gareth Bale is arguably the best player here.”
Northern Ireland have not conceded more than a single goal in any of their last 16 games.
And they know they must produce another solid defensive performance to stop Chris Coleman’s impressive team and earn a quarter-final against Belgium or Hungary.
Hughes made his 101st Northern Ireland appearance for match against Ukraine in Lyon and the right-back kept his place for the 1-0 defeat by Germany.
“A player of Bale’s calibre is important,” said Hughes. “But you cannot stop one player on a man-to-man basis.
“The whole shape of the team has to be right and it takes a big effort from everyone.”
Former Newcastle, Aston Villa and Fulham defender Hughes is currently without a club following the end of his brief spell with Melbourne City.
“I went to Australia because I wanted to continue playing international football,” he said.
“To get on the pitch here has been great, but it would have all been worthwhile even if I had not played. I am here to enjoy it and absorb as much as I can.
“I cannot do anything about my club situation, and I do not want the two or three weeks here to pass by with other worries in my head.”
