Redknapp bullish on retaining stars

Harry Redknapp says Tottenham will not part company with any of their star players should they fail to qualify for the Champions League.

Spurs’ recent downturn has seen them slide to fifth in the Premier League, having won only one of their last nine league games, and with the possibility that Chelsea may win Europe’s top competition, fourth may not even be good enough for Redknapp’s stuttering side.

Many of Tottenham’s star players are linked with moves away from the club, with Barcelona reportedly in for Gareth Bale while Croatian magician Luka Modric is an ever-present in the rumour mill.

But the 65-year-old does not believe they will leave at the end of the season, whatever comes of Tottenham’s Champions League mission.

“When they came to the club, Tottenham weren’t in the Champions League, and were nowhere near getting in the Champions League,” Redknapp told Sky Sports.

“They play for Tottenham. They’re at a great club. There’s no reason they should want to leave. If we don’t make it this year, we’ll try again next year. There’s not too many clubs they could go to better than Tottenham.

“Gareth Bale and Luka Modric have both signed long-term contracts. Gareth has had a fantastic time for a young player at Tottenham. He needs to stay at Tottenham a few more years yet and keep developing.”

“We’ve progressed so much in the last four years, we’ve got to keep that going and push on even more in the table and look to win a Premier League. It’s not impossible.”

And Redknapp said his team should follow the example set by Chelsea’s senior players last night in their 3-2 aggregate win over Barcelona.

“A club is only as strong as the mentality of its senior players. You look at what Chelsea achieved last night and it is remarkable. It is down to players. When things go well, they take all the credit,” he said.

“Great credit to the manager. Robbie (Di Matteo) has done a great job there. He must have a very good chance (of getting a permanent job), a great chance. He’s done a fantastic job since he took over.”

The former Portsmouth boss highlighted the importance of stringing together an impressive set of results if his Spurs side are to attain Champions League football next term.

“We’ve got to make sure we finish fourth or third, make sure we’re in a position to qualify,” he said.

“If we don’t, it doesn’t matter what happens. It’s still wide open – Arsenal, Chelsea, ourselves, Newcastle – it’s still any two from four.

“We’ve got to go on a good run now.”