Harry Redknapp says Robbie Keane will be called back to White Hart Lane from his loan spell at Celtic ahead of next season. Tottenham secured at least a Champions League qualifier place with their 1-0 win over Manchester City at Eastlands last night but there is still a chance of finishing third and grabbing automatic qualification if they beat Burnley on Sunday and Arsenal lose at home to Fulham.
Regardless of where they finish, the manager says he’s hopeful absent squad members – Keane, Jamie O’Hara and Alan Hutton – will have a part to play.
Republic of Ireland captain Keane has only been in Glasgow since February but has already been named Celtic fans’ Player of the Season after scoring 11 goals in 14 starts.
Despite the windfall that will come Tottenham’s way if the qualify for the Champions League proper, Redknapp says the Tallaght-man has a future in north London.
“They are only loan players so they will come back,” he said, when asked about the trio last night. “They are all good players and hopefully they have a part to play next season.”
Redknapp has also insisted his side’s achievement this season is a vindication of English managers. His success comes a week after fellow English manager Roy Hodgson guided Fulham to the Europa League final.
The Tottenham manager said: “One or two people ridiculed me because I said there were good English coaches and there are.
“If they are just given the right jobs with the right players then they can do just as good a job as anybody else, no doubt about that.
“There are some terrific coaches in this country at all levels and it’s a crying shame that more of them don’t get the chance to manage at a bigger club.”
Redknapp is now 63 but has no intention of calling it a day.
He added: “I don’t see why I should pack in. I’m on the road at half past five every morning and I don’t feel like an old man. If I wanted to walk the dogs up a beach every day I would pack it in.
“I love football - if I wasn’t here I would go and manage a kids’ team.”
Redknapp’s attacking 4-4-2 paid off at Eastlands and he intends to stick to his guns even though the formation has become unfashionable in the last couple of seasons.
“We will be positive — I love to watch teams like the Manchester United team when they were playing with wingers and two up front, that’s how I like to see the game played.
“We’ve played some great football this year, it’s been a pleasure to watch — we move the ball, pass the ball, we are a good football team.
“We will have go in the Champions League. What have you got to lose, you’ve got to have a go.”