Gareth Bale Thanks Redknapp For Toughening Him Up

Gareth Bale has thanked manager Harry Redknapp for toughening him up.

It has been quite a couple of months for the twenty one year old as his exploits in the Champions League have made him a household name,

And for his recent heroics for Tottenham Hotspur the striker has been handed the 2010 BBC Cymru Wales Sports Personality title.

Bale joined Tottenham Hotspur from Southampton in 2007 but struggled to become a regular player for the team as he was blighted with injury.

But Bale admits that it was the support of manager Redknapp has been vital in his development and was full of praise for the Tottenham boss.

Speaking to BBC Wales Sport he said:  "Looking back on some things I think 'wow'," Bale admitted to BBC Wales Sport. "And a year ago I did not think I would be doing stuff like that."

"It did take a while for me to hold down a first-team spot at Tottenham - and longer than I expected it would.

"I had a lot of injuries and was out for eight months with my foot injury and six months with my knee injury.

"But I don't think I ever thought my future lied elsewhere, when I wasn't playing I went in to see the manager and to ask when was I going to be given my chance.

"There was a lot of things the manager wanted me to do and there were certain aspects of my game I needed to improve on.

"And he wanted me to toughen up as I was still a young boy at the time. So I worked hard in training to prove to him that I was worthy of a spot in the team.

"He always said 'be patient and keep working hard in training and you will get your chance' - so I was always confident, I just had to be prepared and ready to give 100% when the chance came. And I got my chance and never looked back.

"I have always had the belief in my own ability so I knew if I trained hard and was patient, things would happen for me.
"But I feel the main reason for my good form is playing week in week out, playing regularly is the best way for me to improve - and in every game I'm learning and growing in confidence."

FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw