Tottenham winger Andros Townsend admits growing up idolising Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs.
Townsend has been hailed as the 'new Gareth Bale', even by teammates this season.
"I have to keep doing what I'm doing and hopefully, one day, I can be up there with the likes of Gareth Bale," Townsend told the London Evening Standard. "Growing up, I was lucky to be in squads with players like Bale and Lennon.
Support: the Spurs winger has defended the quality of young English players Support: the winger has defended the quality of young English players "They're old-fashioned wingers and players I wanted to be like, so even when I was left out of a matchday squad, I got to watch them and it was great for me to learn from them.
"When I was given the chance, I tried to take what I saw in their games and add it to mine, when I was playing in the Under-21s or when I was on loan. While it was a negative not to be playing, it was a plus point to watch such good wingers and learn from them.
"I've always liked watching Ryan Giggs, too. When playing wide he liked to dribble, make things happen, get crosses in and score goals, so he was my main inspiration. That he's still going know shows he's a fantastic professional."
