WALES captain Craig Bellamy will be invoking the spirit of legendary freedom fighter Owain Glyndwr as he leads the side out in Germany tonight.

John Toshack’s men face the Euro 2008 finalists here in Monchengladbach in a crucial World Cup 2010 qualifier looking to repeat last year’s excellent 0-0 draw in Frankfurt.

It’s a tough task but one Bellamy believes they can achieve, or perhaps even better. The West Ham striker, often perceived as the bad boy of Welsh football, revealed a different side to his complicated personality as he opened up about the tattoo on his arm which depicts Glyndwr, the last native Welshman to hold the title Prince of Wales.

“Owain Glyndwr is a big Welsh hero, the biggest we’ve ever had and I’ve studied a lot of Welsh history, which I think is important,” said Bellamy.

“He’s my hero and I had the tattoo done about two years ago as a reminder.”

Glyndwr, who led the revolt against English rule in Wales under Henry IV in the early 15th century, was voted 23rd in a poll of 100 Greatest Britons in 2002 and if Bellamy can score the winner at Borussia Park tonight he’ll have earned hero status himself.

And with his idol as inspiration, the fiery forward is talking up Wales’ chances. “It’s a huge task. No matter what people say, this is a good German side,” he said.

“But the boys got the draw here last year and we’ll take confidence from that and hopefully we might be able to go one better. We are a counter-attacking side and we will be under pressure for long periods but we have got to threaten them when we do break and we believe we can do that.

“I missed a few chances on Saturday and it’s difficult after a year out but hopefully I can take them today.”

And if Wales were to earn a famous win, would that be Bellamy’s proudest day in the red shirt?

“The win over Italy will take some beating,” said the 29-year-old. “The manner in which we did it was brilliant. That was my most satisfying game with Wales but to win here would be right up there.”