Football: Bale set to run teams ragged in Champs League QF

Despite debuting in Europe's elite competition, Wheeler-dealer Harry Redknapp has transformed this Tottenham Hotspur side from nervous newcomers to seasoned contenders. Despite their first appearance in the Champions League, Spurs have already knocked out

European giants like AC Milan. So who makes this Tottenham side capable of springing an upset?

Rafael van der Vaart

The deadline day signing has proved to be the catalyst for a young Tottenham side. Having already played for

the likes of Ajax and Real Madrid, his European experience has added another dimension to the eleven. His forward runs and a

striker-like presence in the box have fetched him a lot of goals. The medio can play on the wing and can also shift to the centre

with Modric if needed.

Luka Modric

Touted as one of the best midfielders in the world, the Croat brings that creativity and vision in the midfield which

every top European team possesses. His immaculate slide passes and cross-field balls have left many a defender dead. Playing away

from home, Modric is the calming factor in the middle of the park as his sturdy control of possession and changing the tempo of the

game according to his own liking has made Tottenham a force to reckon with.

His combination with Gareth Bale an Aaron Lennon on either side of the wings has proved to be deadly and that is the reason why

every top club in Europe has been vying for his signature.

Gareth Bale

Undoubtedly the best left-sided player in the world, the 21-year old Welsh player took the world by storm in the previous season.

But he marked his arrival on the world stage by banging in a hat-trick away from home against inter Milan.

If that wasn't enough, the left-footed wonder-kid made a mockery of the best right-back in the world, Maicon. Outrunning him at will,

his pace with the ball and without it is like no other player. He initially started as a left-back but was drafted on the wings by Redknapp.

It is not only his whirlwind pace that gets the opponents trembling but his final product with the ball that makes him the man to watch out for when Real Madrid face off in the last 8.

William Gallas

At the twilight of his career, William Gallas has proved to be the cornerstone of Tottenham's successes as a defensive unit. After

making a much0hated switch from Arsenla to Tottenham, the French centreback has been a revelation at White Hart Lane. After

Tottenham scored a solitary goal at the San Siro, Milan came to the Spurs all guns loaded. But Gallas martialled the back four like clockwork and resolute defending that left Milan without a goal and out of the competition. His

lack of team spirit was nowhere to be seen. Instead he was the uniting force and the team functioned as a cohesive unit.