WALES’ newest set-piece star Harry Wilson admits Gareth Bale is still number one when it comes to free-kicks.

The Liverpool forward won all three points for Ryan Giggs’ men with a stunning effort in Tuesday’s Nations League clash with the Republic of Ireland at the Aviva Stadium.

Dublin is a city littered with statues – from Molly Malone to Oscar Wilde and James Joyce to Phil Lynott – and Darren Randolph became the latest addition as he watched Wilson’s super strike sail past him.

The Irish goalkeeper was rooted to the spot as the ball hit the back of the net in front of the travelling fans.

Wilson rates it just as highly as last month’s goal for loan club Derby County at Manchester United in the Carabao Cup.

But the 21-year-old knows he’s not in Bale’s class just yet and he conceded that the Real Madrid star will have first claim on free-kicks when he returns from injury.

“It was a good hit,” said Wilson. “I try to practice them a lot, after training. I put them in different positions.

“We got someone in the keeper’s eye line. I went keeper side and it went off.

“It is important to have a couple of players good on dead balls,” he added.

“Bale is great, but it is good to have that option.

“When Gareth is here we stand back and watch him take them he is that good.

“I'll be putting my name forward now, but I think he is still at the front of the queue and rightly so.”

Asked to compare his second goal for Wales and that strike at Old Trafford, Wilson said: “I enjoyed them both.

“When you score for your country, no matter what type of goal it is, it's special.

“But then as a Liverpool fan to score at Old Trafford was also special. They are both up there.”

United legend Giggs joked that he would fine the youngster for that strike in Manchester and his celebration, which reminded the home fans that Liverpool have won five European Cups to their club’s three.

“He spoke about fining me, but he hasn't got around to it yet,” added Wilson. “I'm hoping this goal will make him forget about that!”

Giggs himself was no slouch when it came to free-kicks during his playing days, scoring his first international goal with a powerful effort against Belgium in 1993.

“I haven't had any conversations with the manager about free-kicks,” said Wilson. “You have your own technique when it comes to dead-ball situations.

"You see the players like Bale and Ronaldo who try to get that movement and then you have other players like Beckham when he was playing who have got that whip.

“I think it's important to use the technique that you feel is most suited. It's important to have a couple in case the free-kick is a bit further out or closer in. I try to vary the technique up.

“I tried to go for the curler [on Tuesday] because I felt it was a bit too close for the laces.”

The impressive victory, achieved without Bale and Aaron Ramsey, means Wales top their Nations League group ahead of the final match at home to Denmark on November 16 and Wilson wants another win to secure first place.

“We can take a lot of confidence from this game,” he said. "We can look forward to next month now and finishing the job.”