Tottenham ace Gareth Bale hopes to eventually outshine Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo's free-kick ability.

Bale has earned a reputation as a set-piece specialist with his dipping, swerving efforts.

He said: "I practise them a lot - but when I do, I put the mannequin wall just nine yards away instead of 10.

"It makes it seem a bit easier during games then.

"It's difficult to explain how I do it. I just sort of hit the ball flatter.

"Juninho at Lyon was the first player I ever saw hit a free-kick like that and I thought 'wow, I want to do that.'

"Cristiano Ronaldo then took it on to a new level and hopefully I can develop it further."