QPR assistant coach Joe Jordan says there are ways of stopping Tottenham star Gareth Bale.

Former Spurs coach Jordan always knew Bale had the ability and athleticism to become a star and, as Tottenham assistant manager, he saw the player grow and grow following his hat-trick against Inter Milan in October 2010.

He said: "Spurs bought Gareth from Southampton for big money and there was a lad who had gone to London at 18 years of age.

"I'm not saying he found it difficult. There was competition there and he had the unfortunate tag of playing in I think it was 24 games and not playing in a winning team. That is not a good stat to have if you are picking a team.

"But he got that monkey off his back and it was not just the game he played against Inter Milan in the San Siro where he scores a hat-trick.

"But for anyone to do that, you would wake up the next morning and think 'I have got something to offer if I can score a hat-trick against the champions of Europe'.

"Gareth has gone from then and has belief now. If you have seen him in the last two or three months, he has taken a responsibility. I think he has matured.

"I don't think there is any difference in ability, there is more responsibility and he is more involved in the game now."