Hat-trick hero Bale pledges future to Spurs

Tottenham midfielder Gareth Bale promised to stay with the Premier League club after earning worldwide attention with a stunning hat-trick in his side’s Champions League defeat against Inter Milan.

Bale netted three times in the second half as Spurs mounted an ultimately unsuccessful attempt to comeback from four goals down in the San Siro on Wednesday and the Wales international’s performance immediately led him to be linked to some of Europe’s biggest clubs.

Spurs’ determination to hang onto their prize asset will be almost certainly tested when the transfer window reopens in January, especially after Inter president Massimo Moratti confirmed his interest in the 21-year-old.

The north London club rejected an approach for Bale during the last transfer window and boss Harry Redknapp is braced for more bids.

But Bale believes there is no better place than White Hart Lane for him to continue improving and he praised Redknapp’s contribution to his development.

“I don’t read into anything said about me. I am just happy playing week in, week out for Tottenham and learning my football here,” he told the London Evening Standard.

“I am happy and I want to keep playing. I don’t take any interest in what is written about me because I think it’s best to keep your feet on the ground, go to training and learn and also learn in the games every week.

“The manager has given me the chance to play and I am grateful for that. In training, we have worked on things and more things are coming into my game.

“I just want to keep playing every week because that is the most important thing – that’s when you learn the most.

“He has given me the confidence and belief to go out there and express myself and that is the best thing a manager can do.