Redknapp hails fans

HARRY Redknapp dedicated Tottenham’s Champions League qualification to the White Hart Lane faithful after las night’s 4-0 thrashing of Young Boys – but the down-to-earth Spurs boss will celebrate with a bacon sandwich and a cup of tea rather than champagne.

Peter Crouch’s hat-trick and a controversial goal from Jermain Defoe helped the north London side cruise into the lucrative group stages of the elite club competition for the first time since playing in the 1962-63 European Cup.

Crouch levelled the tie on aggregate with a back post header after just five minutes, and it was 2-0 before half-time when Defoe – set to have a groin operation next week – clearly handled the ball before firing home.

Another header from Couch – whose goal helped secure a shot at the Champions League with victory at Manchester City last season – on the hour followed by a late penalty left Spurs fans dreaming of trips to Madrid, Barcelona and Milan as they joined Premier League rivals Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal in today’s draw.

Redknapp said: ‘‘It is a good night for Tottenham – as a kid I used to come training here and watched the games with Benfica in those great days, and at that time it was amazing to see European football and the way this place was jumping.

‘‘To bring it back tonight was great for the fans – and that is what it is all about really, the supporters, we have given them something to look forwards to in the Champions League.’’ Redknapp declared: ‘‘Now I will probably just go home, have a bacon sandwich and a cup of tea, that is all I want.”