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Glenn Hoddle reacts to Gareth Bale’s display in Tottenham win
Glenn Hoddle that he saw further positive signs from Gareth Bale as Tottenham Hotspur got back to winning ways in the Europa League on Thursday night.
Bale went into the game with Ludogorets having scored the winning goal in Spurs’ latest Premier League fixture. It was also the Welshman’s first since he returned to North London.
The 31-year-old was handed a start in Bulgaria. And he went on to get just over an hour under his belt as Spurs ran out 3-1 winners to temporarily move top of their group.
Bale did play a role in Tottenham’s second goal with a pass into Harry Kane. And he appeared to be a lot more influential than he had been a week earlier in Belgium.
Following the game, Hoddle admitted that he was wary of getting carried away about how Bale’s loan could play out. But he insisted that he definitely looks to be on the right path as he looks to rediscover something like his best form.
“He is looking sharper. He really is. He’s had more minutes on the pitch as well. He’s not quite there yet. I don’t think we can judge him yet,” . “There’s still a long way for him to go to get back to anywhere near [his best]. It’s not going to be the same Gareth Bale that left Tottenham or played at Real Madrid. It’s going to be a little bit different.
“What we saw tonight, drifting into that pocket, that little number 10 position, and then hurting the opposition, that’s where I see him. I don’t see him out wide, right or left. But I think there’s a combination working there. Eventually Son, Bale and Kane is as good as anything in the country.”
Spurs fans would have been under few illusions ahead of Bale’s return. He has endured some tough spells since he was undeniably one of the very best players in world football. And they would have known that it was always going to take time.
The encouraging thing is Bale continues to improve and certainly looks to be moving in the right direction again.