By Sam Bisby
22 Apr 2011 15:28:00
Harry Redknapp, Tottenham Hotspur (Getty Images)
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Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp insists that qualifying for next season’s Champions League should be considered more of a bonus than a necessity after their gallant exploits in europe.
Spurs trail fourth placed Manchester City in the hunt for the final qualification spot by just two points and the pair will face each other on May 10th in what could prove to be another top-four decider.
“Getting in that top four is a bonus,” Redknapp told reporters.
“Every year the same four teams got into the Champions League apart from the one year that Everton broke in and then we broke in ahead of Liverpool.
“Now, suddenly, there’s Man City and they want to be in there every year too. Getting in the top four is going to be harder and harder every season.”
Spurs’ run-in to the end of the season is arguably one of the toughest, with fixtures against Chelsea, City and Liverpool to come, but the former Portsmouth boss believes it is still achievable to reach a place amongst Europe’s elite.
“We’re in a position where we still have a chance,” he said. “It’s going to be tight but we have to keep going.
“We have the tougher run-in than Man City but it’s a good end to the season, it’s something we’re looking forward to, we’re fighting to achieve something, that’s all you can ask.”
Meanwhile, Gareth Bale is considered a major doubt for the game against West Brom this weekend, according to Redknapp.
The Welsh winger picked-up the injury during the thrilling 3-3 north London derby against Arsenal, after a clash with Gunners ‘keeper