HIS was the name we dared not mention. The pantomime villain who had talked himself out of Wales contention with all the diplomacy of a Northern Rock mortgage advisor.

He spat the dummy, gave his delighted national boss the ammunition to axe his harshest critic and promptly disappeared into the sunset to play his part in the sorry saga of Derby County FC.

The national team that had relied on him so much moved on, finding less temperamental and newer models to add the steel and drive needed to marshal their midfield.

But now, when it is far, far too late, the most controversial figure in Welsh football in a generation has performed a U-turn of startling proportions.

Robbie Savage, agent provocateur, is sorry. Sorry for falling out with John Toshack, sorry for prematurely retiring from international duty and sorry for shooting himself in the foot.

Since his infamous outburst against Toshack, subsequent retirement from the international stage and incredible performance on a radio phone-in, Savage’s career has been in free fall.

Since quitting the international scene to stop Toshack “humiliating him,” and ranting at Leighton James about “friiied bananas,” three years ago, Savage has gone from Premier League star to League One loanee.

Father Time has caught up with a player who by his own admission was always more tenacity and work-rate than technique or flair.

But the fact that Savage is so clearly not the same player that he was in 2005, the fact that Savage will never play for his country again, only strengthens my respect for one of the most vilified men in football. Because his apology is 100% genuine.

“I'm man enough to say I was wrong and John is right,” said Savage. “He's taking Welsh football in the right direction with the kids and I can see that now. I didn't back then. I sat at home watching the Russian match and those youngsters ran their hearts out and covered every blade of grass.

“I thought: 'Fair play to John, he has got them playing not just like headless chickens but with some style and self-belief'. And that's fantastic. If I met John in the street tomorrow I'd be the first to say, 'John you were right, I had it wrong. Well done'."

A more cynical man would have made his move two years ago. Swallowed his pride and put the ball in Toshack’s court in regard to a recall.

A Savage apology after Wales had say, been smashed 5-1 at home by Slovakia in a European Championship Qualifier, would have ratcheted up the pressure on Toshack by another notch or two.

Yet it is only now, when Savage knows he has no chance of getting back into the international fold that he has decided to admit he was wrong.

Why? Because the evidence has compelled him to do so.

The football public of Wales may not yet be convinced – the embarrassing attendances for home qualifiers bearing this out – but this new crop of youngsters are a special group.

Gareth Bale, Chris Gunter (despite their club side’s dreadful form, Bale amazingly has NEVER won a Premier League game), Joe Ledley, Sam Vokes, Ched Evans, Wayne Hennessey, a number of Brian Flynn’s U21 side and especially Aaron Ramsey looking like the real deal.

Call it a fluke, credit it to Toshack and Flynn or thank Mother Nature, but just as the rugby side suddenly found two Grand Slam winning teams after almost 30 years of hurt, Welsh football suddenly has a pool of players to be proud of.

The performance of the under-21s against England – 843 Premier League appearances against Wales’ four – was nothing short of sensational, adding to the excitement of the current senior crop who went to Germany and Russia and performed with real distinction.

John Toshack’s successor – and that’s another big issue to address in the next 18 months – will inherit a pool of players capable of genuinely competing for qualification for the next decade.

Savage knows that he has zero chance of getting back into contention to add to his 39 caps when Jack Collison and the sublime Ramsey aren’t even in the senior squad yet.

His U-turn is genuine and heartfelt and Savage should be commended for realising that his rash actions have only really hurt him.

The doomed relationship of Toshack and Savage shouldn’t diminish memories of a player whose commitment and attitude in the Dragons shirt was a joy to behold.

So pivotal for Mark Hughes in a qualifying campaign that captivated the country – the atmosphere at the Millennium Stadium created by a full house of football fans is sadly a distant memory – Savage had some fine moments on the international stage.

Inspirational in the win over Italy where he so unsettled the imperious Andrea Pirlo, Savage became so much more than the Machiavellian figure that so infuriated opposition fans but was so loved by those that supported the club he played for.

He should cherish the memories.

It’s sad that Savage’s mature reflection on his own mistake has come too late in the day for him. It would be fantastic if others learned from his folly.

It’s not even necessary to name names, but the trend of players chucking away their international careers as if they don’t matter simply has to stop.

Even Robbie Savage agrees.