Gareth Bale chases Champions League spot for Spurs

18 April 2011 14:31
Tottenham star Gareth Bale has demanded a return to the Champions League after being crowned Professional Footballers' Association Player of the Year.[LNB]The 21-year-old was voted as the country's best player over the course of the season by his peers, beating five other shortlisted contenders to the award.[LNB]Bale has been in superb form in the Barclays Premier League this campaign and performed admirably in the Champions League, which he wants to grace again next season with Spurs.[LNB]Brilliant Bale scoops the Player of the Year prize[LNB] Crowning glory: Gareth Bale celebrated his PFA Player of the year award in London on Sunday night[LNB]'I think with playing for Wales, the Champions League is probably going to be the highest level I will be playing at the moment,' he said.[LNB]'It is important for me to be playing at the highest level and playing against the best players to improve and to test myself.[LNB]'And I think that is the most important thing now for us this season. The Champions League is still wide open for us and hopefully we can get it.'[LNB]Bale netted a hat-trick at reigning European champions Inter Milan during Spurs' impressive run and the former Southampton man said the performance proved his side are able to compete with the best.[LNB]'There has been a few highlights,' he added. 'Obviously it was a personal hat-trick but we lost at the end of the night, but it was a great evening. I don't think anybody expected us to come back from 4-0 down.[LNB] Chasing the dream: Playing in the Champions League next season is at the top of Bale's agenda[LNB]'Personally I think it was a fantastic night and we did prove to Europe that we can compete with the big boys.'[LNB]Bale was also nominated for the PFA Young Player of the Year, but that award went to Jack Wilshere of Arsenal.[LNB]The 19-year-old has has long been considered one of the brightest talents to come through the Gunners' youth system in recent years and this time last year was on loan at Bolton honing his talent.[LNB]Now he is an integral member of Arsene Wenger's side, showing skill that belies his age, and he is confident of securing success with Arsene Wenger's side this year.[LNB] Top Gun: Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere was named the young PFA Player of the year[LNB]'I am a bit surprised,' he said. 'I am delighted just to be in the team. I have to keep it up now and hopefully we can win something this year.'[LNB]Arsenal were held to a 1-1 draw by Liverpool, but Wilshere said: 'I don't think the title has gone.[LNB]'Obviously we wanted the three points but we got a point so we have to keep going.[LNB]'We think United will still drop points and we have to keep going and start winning to get the points when we can.'[LNB]  Brilliant Bale wins PFA player of the year as Wilshere scoops young player awardBale and Wilshere feature in PFA Premier League Team of the YearSee you next season! Bale targets an instant return to the Champions LeagueAll the latest Tottenham news, features and opinion [LNB]  Explore more:People: Jack Wilshere, Gareth Bale Places: Liverpool, Wales, Europe

Source: Daily_Mail