Wales' final group stage game at the 2022 World Cup takes place tonight against England and in tonight’s BBC coverage of the game, pundit Alan Shearer paid tribute to his late friend, Gary Speed.

Shearer shared the pitch with Speed during his footballing career, becoming team mates and friends.

Speed set the target of World Cup qualification for Wales’ group of talented young players before his death at 42-years-old in 2011.

The former Everton, Leeds and Newcastle player transformed things off the pitch and created a professional club environment that Wales’ ‘Golden Generation’ quickly bought into.

Alan Shearer shares tribute to late friend and former footballer Gary Speed

When talking about the teams before the match, Shearer said he had to give Speed a mention, he said: “I think he started all of this back in 2010. He changed it all, the professionalism and everything, didn’t he?”

He added: “God bless him.”

Shearer was joined by the likes of Gary Lineker and Rio Ferdinand in the studio.

Fans react to Alan Shearer’s tribute to friend and former footballer Gary Speed

Fans took to Twitter to share their reaction to the tribute with one writing: “Great to hear Alan Shearer repping Gary Speed there. Such an important figure: for Wales, for Leeds, for football generally. And sadly missed. RIP Speedo.”

With a hands together emoji, another tweeted: “Good to hear Alan Shearer giving credit & thoughts to the late Gary Speed #BBCWorldCup”

A third tweeted: “Quality nice words from Alan Shearer about Gary Speed there

“#Wales

“#Engalnd

“#BBCFootball

“#WALENG”