Tottenham should hand Gareth Bale the captaincy, says Glenn Hoddle

With Real Madrid continuing their pursuit of Tottenham midfielder Gareth Bale, former boss Glenn Hoddle has one piece of advice for current incumbent Andre-Villas Boas.

Hoddle, whose two-and-a-half year spell in charge at White Hart Lane ended in 2003, says: "I would have a word with Michael Dawson [the current captain] and give Bale the captaincy.

"Tottenham have had some wonderful captains over the years: Dave MacKay, Danny Blanchflower and, to give Bale the captaincy, is to put your hat on him. That would give him a lot of confidence, that little bit of added incentive, to see if he is a leader, if he can get even more out of himself.”

And the Lane Legend, who played nearly 500 times for Tottenham between 1975 and 1987, has this advice for Britain’s best player: "If I was Bale, I would say stay for another year, maybe two. He should stay for himself because his family life needs to be right when he goes abroad.

"He’s playing inspired at the moment, he should enjoy his football. He won’t do that if he goes abroad straight away, he might in three or four years. But, obviously, if they get £80 million Daniel [Levy, Spurs chairman] will want to take it.”