Bale targets immediate European return

TOTTENHAM star Gareth Bale believes it is vital for the club’s development — and his own — that Spurs qualify for next year’s Champions League.

Spurs upset the odds to pip Manchester City to fourth place in the Barclays Premier League last season and have reaped the rewards this year by reaching the Champions League quarter-finals before exiting the competition at the last eight stage after a 5-0 aggregate defeat to Real Madrid.

Harry Redknapp’s side proved their credentials as one of the continent’s best teams by dispatching European heavyweights AC Milan and Inter Milan on their way to making the last eight, but their place in next year’s Champions League is far from assured.