Harry Redknapp: Tottenham have players who will worry Real Madrid & there will be ‘proper pressure’ on them in second leg if tie is in the balance

EPL – Blackpool vsTottenham, Harry Redknapp(Getty Images)

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Tottenham will be inspired rather than intimidated when they face Real Madrid in the last eight of the Champions League and the north London club have the players to worry the Spanish side, according to boss Harry Redknapp.

Real are heavy favourites to progress in the quarter-final tie although Redknapp is confident his side can cause an upset.

“Not too many people gave us a chance of getting through the group stages as it was our first time in the Champions League,” he told the Sun.

“Even qualifying for the competition proper was an uphill task when we went 3-0 down against Young Boys of Berne.

“But we clawed our way back against them and finished top of the group that included the reigning champions Inter Milan – beating them at the Lane as well.

“Then we were supposed to go out against AC Milan but we beat them at the San Siro and knocked them out.

“Now the odds say it will be Real who will go through.

“But we have players who will definitely worry them and it will be a proper pressure night when they come to our place as long as we are in it. Facing a big team inspires rather than intimidates. They are a great name in world football and Mourinho is a great manager.

“We’ve done it the hard way until now, so we will have to do it the hard way again.”

The former West Ham boss will be without first-team coach Joe Jordan alongside him in the first leg against Real as a result of a one-match touchline ban imposed on the Scot for clashing with AC Milan’s Gennaro Gattuso and Redknapp admits to being bemused with the punishment.

He said: “How Joe has got a one-match ban I don’t know – the man’s done nothing wrong.”

Spurs have until Sunday night to appeal and Redknapp added: “It’s utterly wrong and we should do it.”

Redknapp will hope the trip to the Spanish capital is more fruitful than a recent scouting trip on which the Spurs boss had his wallet stolen.

“The last time I was over there to watch the Madrid derby I was mugged,” he added.

“I think the boys out there are waiting for me again. They’re probably asking ‘Where’s that mug?’

“But as long as Tottenham don’t get mugged on the pitch in the quarter-finals, that will do for me.

“Everyone will talk about Real’s quality but we have plenty of players who they’ll be well aware of.

“I won’t be taking any money with me this time but I will be taking Joe Jordan with me – no one will want to tackle him.”