‘Big Man’ joins Gomes for mission improbable

HARRY REDKNAPP has wanted to make a big signing all season, but if his goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes is to be believed, Tottenham could have God on their side as they attempt the impossible against Real Madrid tomorrow.

Redknapp admitted his side have a “mountain to climb” if they are to overturn the 4-0 lead Jose Mourinho’s men will bring to White Hart Lane, following their thrashing in Spain last week.

But Spurs have come back against the odds many times this season, and Gomes has been in other sides that have surmounted seemingly-impossible obstacles. When the Brazilian was playing for PSV Eindhoven, they went into the final game of the 2006/7 season needing to score five goals against Vitesse Arnhem to win the Dutch Eredivisie title ahead of Ajax, who were level on points having scored more goals.

“Nobody expected us to win, and they said the title was Ajax’s, but we won 5-1 and won the title. So miracles can happen,” said the Brazilian, who is a deeply-committed Roman Catholic.

When asked if he would say a special prayer for Spurs, he smiled: “For God, anything is possible.”

More pragmatically, he believes Tottenham proved they can score against Real Madrid because of the goals they scored against the big men of Stoke in their 3-2 win on Saturday.

“We still feel we can do it. Of course it’s difficult, but I think if we can score against Stoke we can score against Madrid — it is harder to score against English teams than those in Europe.We deserve to be in the Champions League, and have shown a lot of character to come back from difficult situations and win, and we can do it again.”

But if Spurs fail, and Madrid go through to a semi against Barcelona as expected, Gomes believes Redknapp’s men need to repeat last season’s feats of finishing the league strongly and qualify for the competition again.

“It is vital we get back into the Champions League. The club is thinking big, and we have to keep our best players and get new ones. When you are in the Champions League, everyone wants to sign. It’s harder when you are not in it.”

This time last year, Tottenham beat Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City to clinch fourth place, and they face them all in their final seven games. Gomes added: “We did it last season so we can do it again.”