Craig Bellamy takes over as Wales captain knowing he still has to live with a bad-boy reputation.

Bellamy will become Wales' permanent skipper when Ryan Giggs retires from international football after today's Euro 2008 qualifier against the Czech Republic at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.

The 27-year-old will do so with immense pride but also knowing he will have to handle all the personal baggage that comes with it.

The Liverpool striker has had court appearances and a string of off-field incidents that have done little for his reputation.

But Bellamy, who had a club fine last term for an incident in a training camp in Portugal, shrugs his shoulders when questioned about what may happen in the future.

Bellamy said: "I have had to handle all sorts of stuff that has had nothing to do with me, issues I could not do anything about.

"Maybe because I come home to Cardiff, maybe it is where I come from that has caused some of the scrapes throughout the years.

''But there is nothing I could have done differently. Sometimes you cannot do anything about things that happen.

''There have been bigger and better players than me who have had to deal with a lot worse than I've faced.

''I have had pressure for nine, ten years, I can handle it. There is always pressure, but I cannot control some things that go on. Ryan has mostly kept out of things, but even he has had a couple of incidents off the field to contend with. Look at John Terry, the England captain, he's had it too.

''The best player in the Premiership this season, (Cristiano) Ronaldo, has had things to cope with. He's had accusations, it is part and parcel of what we are dealing with now. There's a lot of money to be made on the back of footballers these days.

"I have tried to stay behind closed doors but there's only so much that my wife can put up with me being at home!"

Bellamy takes over from Giggs with his eyes wide open as to the problems that may follow, making him an even bigger target for trouble.

But Bellamy would prefer to think of his pride at being asked to replace Giggs. He said of the 33 year-old: "Nothing I could say could really do justice to what he has done for Wales, he is the best Welsh player I have ever seen.

"I'm a big Ian Rush fan, he was my hero. But Ryan tops him, even if Ryan plays for Manchester United. That's the best compliment I can give him.

"And don't forget, when he joins up with Wales he is under great pressure. If we don't win it is Ryan's fault. People then say he plays well for United and not Wales, he has had all that to deal with.

"People also doubted his commitment, but he is a very passionate man about his country."

Now Bellamy will serve under Giggs once more as Wales' two best players try to salvage their Euro 2008 dreams.

Bellamy says: "This is a big game; if we win the group is wide open. Ireland will be looking at us knowing they have to come to Cardiff, and we could be right back in it. If we lose we won't qualify, the win is all that matters.

"The Czechs are a talented team but there are weaknesses and they have not been as commanding in this group as they have been in previous tournaments.

"There is also an onus on me because I play at the top end of the Premier League, but watching how Ryan copes with that has helped me.

"I was shocked when I heard he was standing down, when John Toshack told me a week ago.

"I do understand why Ryan has done this, and replacing him is a great honour."