Tottenham Hotspur’s Gareth Bale prepared for Europa League play-off against Hearts
Tottenham Hotspur left-back http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Gareth-Bale-c14422 insisted the London club would not be taking their clash against Scottish side Hearts in the UEFA Europa League play-off during mid-week lightly. The Spurs are favorites to make it through to the next stage, but Bale
revealed he was aware of the tough test ahead of them in the second tier European competition.
Harry Redknapp’s side will travel to http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Scotland-c756 to take on Hearts in the first leg of the Europa League play-off. A decent result at Tynecastle will undoubtedly make it easier for the Spurs to earn a qualification to the group stages, with the second leg at
White Hart Lane expected to be much easier. Bale maintained his side would take the match very seriously.
Bale said in an interview with Spurs TV:
“We fully know what to expect at Hearts, we know they will probably look to come at us but we'll also be raring to go
They will be just as determined to qualify and we'll need to start well.
I'm sure it will be a good game and we won't take it lightly, that's for sure. We'll treat it like any other game and go out to win.”
Bale confirmed Tottenham Hotspur were training hard for the Hearts clash, which was as important to them as any other match. He was certain the Scottish outfit would be determined to make it to the group stages and would prove a tough challenge, especially
at home. The http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Wales-c3041 international said he was hoping for a good game in the European fixture.
Bale is expected to be selected by the manager to start against Hearts, since the left-back c*m left-winger played a big role in his side’s success in Europe last season. Unfortunately for the London side, they failed to finish in top four on the Premier
League table and therefore failed to qualify for the Champions League.
They have however qualified for the Europa League and Bale admitted he was raring to play in the European competition. The Welsh winger returns from an ankle injury, which had kept him sidelined for the latter half of last season. He did well in his rehabilitation
after his injury and has had a successful pre-season, doing well in training.
Bale continued:
“It's been a good pre-season for me. I haven't picked up any injuries.
I'm back from my ankle injury and I feel strong.
I'm definitely looking forward to the season now.”
While Bale will be available for Tottenham Hotspur, Redknapp will be missing many key players for the trip to Scotland. Defenders http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Alan-Hutton-c4253 who have knee
injuries, and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Steven-Pienaar-c34208 who has a groin injury, are also said to be unavailable for selection.
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