Redknapp: Captain Keane can liven up Spurs

Harry Redknapp believes new Tottenham captain Robbie Keane has the strength of personality to lead his team towards a successful battle against relegation.

The Republic of Ireland striker secured a shock return to White Hart Lane on transfer day just six-months after leaving for Liverpool.

Redknapp, though, is in no doubt of what the much-travelled 28-year-old can bring to the current side.

“I just felt with Robbie coming in, a fresh face, there would be a new impetus with him as captain,” the Spurs boss revealed.

“He can give an awful lot. He is a big personality and we are a quiet team.

“If Robbie has something to say, he is going to say it.

“He is a leader and has the personality to be a captain of Tottenham.”

Defender Ledley King, who is currently sidelined by injury, will remain as club captain but Keane will lead the team.

Redknapp revealed both King and fellow centre-half Jonathan Woodgate, who had been skippering the team on a temporary basis, were fully behind the change.

“I have spoken to Ledley, who is injured, and also to Jonathan Woodgate about it, and they have been fine about it,” he said.

“Jonathan said, ’Nothing will change. I still want to be a leader out there,’ which is good.”

Redknapp has been one of the busiest managers during the January sales, spending £45m to shape his team into one capable of a successful fight against relegation from the Barclays Premier League.

The likes of Honduras midfielder Wilson Palacios for £14m from Wigan, and goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini from Chelsea, were brought in, while Tottenham old boys Pascal Chimbonda and Jermain Defoe returned to White Hart Lane along with Keane.

Despite their progress to the Carling Cup final, where they will face Manchester United at Wembley next month, Redknapp knows Spurs – currently 14th but just a point above the relegation zone – must improve their form in the league to beat the drop.

“I am delighted it is all finished. I hope to God that this time next season, I do not have to bring anybody in during the transfer window, there is nothing I would like better,” said Redknapp, who last night was guest of honour at the Grosvenor House Hotel in central London to receive the Nationwide Lifetime Achievement Award at the 14th HMV Football Extravaganza.

“This year, because of our situation, we needed to strengthen the squad, and that is what we did.

“The chairman has been terrific and been so supportive.

“I did not think we would get Robbie Keane, I thought there was no way Liverpool were going to sell him, but the chairman has worked on that and done well to get him in.

“Now I feel we have got a squad which can push on.”

Redknapp believes the deal Spurs struck for Keane was worth every penny.

“I think we got Robbie cheap, for around £12m and they sold him for £20m, so it was a good deal,” he said.

“We have got four good strikers now, which is the key, and I do not see playing Robbie and JD [Defoe] together will be a problem.”