Gareth Bale says he hopes Tottenham fans still love him

Gareth Bale has admitted he is excited by the prospect of lining up against his former team-mates in next season's Champions League.

The Welsh international, who overtook Gary Lineker as the highest British goalscorer in La Liga earlier this season, has played just once against English opposition since leaving White Hart Lane. But with Spurs three points away from guaranteeing a place in next season's Champions League, Bale thinks it would be "amazing" to line up against the London club in Europe's elite competition. "I hope they still love me there," said Bale, who was speaking exclusively to BT Sport.

"Obviously when I left I always wished they would do well and continue on progressing which they have done, and yes it would be exciting to play them in the Champions League and return to White Hart Lane," he added. "So yeah it would be amazing to go there for a game but hopefully we would win there, but it’s great for them to see what they’re doing."

Bale is yet to play a competitive club game on English soil since his world record move in 2013, having missed Madrid's trip to Liverpool the following year, but played 30 minutes in Los Blancos' 1-0 victory over Brendan Rodgers' team. Spurs were eliminated by the Spanish club in their last Champions League run, and barring a late-season collapse they will enter next year's competition at the group stages.